A nation can legislate mandatory service in the armed forces. Known as “the draft,” the United
States used forced conscription to build the armies it needed to fight World War II, the Korean War, and the
Vietnam War. If drafted, a person must leave his or her school, job, and family to serve for a specified period of
time, typically two years, in the armed forces. Draftees become soldiers. And some soldiers give their lives in
combat. Those who try to escape their duties, known as “draft dodgers” are prosecuted and imprisoned.
Assume that the nation’s military leaders evaluate the readiness of the armed forces and determine that the
national defense requires that a military draft should be established now. Assume that men and women
between the ages of 18 and 35 will be subject to the draft as recommended to the President and the Congress.
Assume that the proposal to institute a draft is going to be taken up by Congress next week and that you have
the opportunity to offer your advice to your state’s representatives and senators. Although the nation may or
may not be at war at the moment when the legislation is being considered, it is reasonable to assume that the
nation could be at war at some point in the future. Considering what you know about the nation, its ideological
convictions, and its history, what would you recommend and why? Assume that you are the right age to be
drafted into the military and that you are otherwise fully qualified and eligible to serve. That is, assume that
whatever law is passed, if there is a draft, you may be one of the people conscripted to serve
Sample Solution