Is a draft/conscription - contrary to freedom?

Question

In nations where we are constantly bombarded by the words "freedom" and "democracy" (even in those which are Republics) is the mandatory slavery law known as conscription contrary to our creed?

For instance if a nation says that it runs off of the will of the people, would it then make sense to say that if persons are not willing to volunteer in a specific military campaign that they, they people have spoken?

If the power to drag individuals into war, with or without their consent lays solely in the hands of politicians - what is the difference between our forms of state and that of dictatorships and other totalitarian systems?

In reality it would seem that the people have very little input into what actually goes on in terms of law, and indeed policy.

So if we had monarchy as opposed to "democracy" for instance.. It would not even be a big change.

Answer 1

I agree that the draft (or conscription) are impossible in a free society. The very existence of any form of involuntary servitude simply negates the possibility that the society is free.

Here's the text of the 13th Amendment. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

A draft in this country would be Unconstitutional, and was every time it was used after the passage of the 13th Amendment.

Answer 2

I am a little confused by your question, but from what I get out of it, you're equating a draft to consription.

As I understand it, a draft is soley for the purpose of military action. Conscription (manditory slavery?) implies more than just military service.

I don't know... but if a nation has a law, then that is the law. If the people want it changed, then it has to be done through the democratic process, if that is indeed what 'the will of the people' want. There are lots of laws in our own country (a democracy) that we don't like or agree with. So you can choose to break a law (and face the consequences that we've set up) that you don't like, or work to change it.

Laws are set up for a reason...w/out them there would be chaos. Our democratic process gives a voice to the people, as opposed to a dictatorship which is the only voice.