Should America Reinstitute a Draft?

Paper Summary:

The paper argues that national service as a regular requirement will not act as a deterrent to war, as shown by the recent history of the United States, nor is it keeping with the American tradition of liberty and freedom of choice. The paper concedes that if the American nation requires more young people to defend its national security, then a short enforced draft might be required, but it will not essentially ensure that more wealthy individuals fight. The paper maintains that the poorest are always likely to serve in greater number; a new draft would likely only result in a stronger national guard and reams of 'doctors notices' for why the most privileged were unable to serve.

From the Paper:

"Once upon a time, not so long ago, nearly every able-bodied young man in the United States held his breath in anticipation that his draft numbers might be called in the national draft lottery. If his or her number was selected, the individual's life was no longer his own--his future was put on hold and it temporarily belonged to the U.S. military. The recent war in Iraq has caused a resurgence of calls to reinstate the peacetime and military draft--not so much to bolster the flagging spirits and minds of those in their enforced deployment in the Middle East, but based upon the argument that the U.S. government would never have pursued such a foolhardy mission, had the lives of the wealthy as well as the poor been at stake."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "1863 Draft Riots." Mr. Lincoln and New York. Lincoln Institute. 2002.http://www.mrlincolnandnewyork.org/inside.asp?ID=91&subjectID=4
• "Background of Selective Service." About.com: U.S. Military History.http://usmilitary.about.com/od/deploymentsconflicts/l/bldrafthistory.htm
• "Impressment." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th Edition. 27 Apr 2008.http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-impressm.html
• Vennochi, Joan. "A military draft might awaken us.' The Boston Globe. June 22, 2006.http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/06/22/a_military_draft_might_awaken_us/

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