Market and Moral Essay
The United States has a long history of drafting citizens to join the military. The selective service was established as a backup system to enforce the United States’ Army. Men were drafted when there were not enough volunteers to serve the armed forces. Libertarians and utilitarians think that volunteer army is more just than conscription because drafting people is a form of slavery and it reduces overall utility among the individuals. However, the free market should not apply to volunteer army because everyone must serve their country. Two reasons why this is true are that the free market is not always free and it devalues the common good.
Citizens with limited alternatives are a prime example of why the free market is not always free. Citizens with low income see no other alternative than to enlist in the military in exchange for economic goods or benefits. Young people, from low-middle income neighborhoods, who want to go to college but cannot afford it have no other option than to join the military out of necessity. The volunteer army is concerned with unfairness of class discrimination. For example “In New York City, the disproportionate burden of service is dramatic. In 2004, 70% of the volunteers in the city were black or Hispanic, recruiting from lower incomes communities”(83). When people join the military they should serve the military with the thought that it is best for the country not for an exchange or reward.
Military service is not just a job but it is a civic obligation. As citizens, we have an obligation to serve the country whenever it is in need. An example of this is that when you see an injured passerby, would you help him out or let him die painfully? Of course you should; if you have the means, you are morally obligated to help him out. As an American who has received rights and liberties it is your duty to give something in return. Although these claims are valid there are several groups that disagree.
According to utilitarians, conscription reduces the overall utility of the individuals who are drafted; however the general welfare of the country would increase because it is being protected. Another counter argument for conscription according to libertarians is that conscription violates their freedom of choice, this is a good point, however if the army does not have enough volunteers and nobody gets drafted the country will lose the war and liberties will be restricted.
To conclude, the free market is a good idea but it is not perfect. Conscription is a better way of building a strong military. Building a strong military is very beneficial to our country’s citizens. This allows citizens to keep enjoying their rights and liberties that the country offers them. Overall, conscription not only helps protect liberties and rights, but also the free market.
The United States has a long history of drafting citizens to join the military. The selective service was established as a backup system to enforce the United States’ Army. Men were drafted when there were not enough volunteers to serve the armed forces. Libertarians and utilitarians think that volunteer army is more just than conscription because drafting people is a form of slavery and it reduces overall utility among the individuals. However, the free market should not apply to volunteer army because everyone must serve their country. Two reasons why this is true are that the free market is not always free and it devalues the common good.
Citizens with limited alternatives are a prime example of why the free market is not always free. Citizens with low income see no other alternative than to enlist in the military in exchange for economic goods or benefits. Young people, from low-middle income neighborhoods, who want to go to college but cannot afford it have no other option than to join the military out of necessity. The volunteer army is concerned with unfairness of class discrimination. For example “In New York City, the disproportionate burden of service is dramatic. In 2004, 70% of the volunteers in the city were black or Hispanic, recruiting from lower incomes communities”(83). When people join the military they should serve the military with the thought that it is best for the country not for an exchange or reward.
Military service is not just a job but it is a civic obligation. As citizens, we have an obligation to serve the country whenever it is in need. An example of this is that when you see an injured passerby, would you help him out or let him die painfully? Of course you should; if you have the means, you are morally obligated to help him out. As an American who has received rights and liberties it is your duty to give something in return. Although these claims are valid there are several groups that disagree.
According to utilitarians, conscription reduces the overall utility of the individuals who are drafted; however the general welfare of the country would increase because it is being protected. Another counter argument for conscription according to libertarians is that conscription violates their freedom of choice, this is a good point, however if the army does not have enough volunteers and nobody gets drafted the country will lose the war and liberties will be restricted.
To conclude, the free market is a good idea but it is not perfect. Conscription is a better way of building a strong military. Building a strong military is very beneficial to our country’s citizens. This allows citizens to keep enjoying their rights and liberties that the country offers them. Overall, conscription not only helps protect liberties and rights, but also the free market.