I agree diplomacy is important, otherwise I'd be out of a job. However, diplomacy needs legitimacy and though soft power is becoming increasingly important, it will never replace military might.
Chirol, you'll see from the link that the US has difficulty in recruiting a military. There have been many reports recently of serious difficulties. In what circumstances will a public accept conscription in any nation that has become accustomed to having a volunteer military?
In what circumstances, probably in those where it is vital. Don't forget conscription is usually worse than a volunteer force. Conscripts are poorly trained, have no experience and don't want to be there. Professionals have more training, more experience and are doing their job. Look at how poorly we performed in Vietnam. Conscription was a large part of that.
"In what circumstances [will a public accept conscription], probably in those where it is vital."
But the responsibility is on government to convince the public that they have a duty to fight for what it considers "vital"? You mention the Vietnam conscription - the public became less convinced.
A government's warmongering foreign policy has to be backed up, ultimately, by its people.
A government's warmongering foreign policy has to be backed up, ultimately, by its people.
But by mass labor?
Conscription armies in an armed force where labor is slack but cpaital is heavily optimized. America's military is the reverse - there's a lot of cash and technology floating around, because the system is optimized for labor.
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Comments to this entry
IJ
May 4, 2005
4:45 pm
''Rebuild or Retreat: America's Strategic Dilemma''
http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=179
Perhaps the United Nations should co-ordinate it.
Chirol
May 4, 2005
5:02 pm
IJ
May 4, 2005
5:27 pm
Diplomacy is really a multilateral enterprise.
Chirol
May 4, 2005
6:12 pm
Why the hard on for conscription?
IJ
May 4, 2005
7:12 pm
But the responsibility is on government to convince the public that they have a duty to fight for what it considers "vital"? You mention the Vietnam conscription - the public became less convinced.
A government's warmongering foreign policy has to be backed up, ultimately, by its people.
Dan
May 4, 2005
7:43 pm
But by mass labor?
Conscription armies in an armed force where labor is slack but cpaital is heavily optimized. America's military is the reverse - there's a lot of cash and technology floating around, because the system is optimized for labor.
No comment on the "warmongering" allegation.