Voluntary drafts in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Voluntary drafts in America - Essay Example Voluntary drafts in America Historically speaking, the draft was signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1940 and it required all males between the ages of 18 to 25 years to be called in times of war or if there is a crisis in the country. Those who didn’t abide by were liable for a fine of $ 25, 0000 and imprisonment of five years (Friedberg, 70). The idea behind initiating this draft service was to raise manpower in case; if the United States faces any aggression outside its borders. Today, with an army of 1.4 million forces, (Friedberg, 82) the United States is a super power with deep rooted interests across the globe. So, those who occupy the corridors of powers: felt a need to make available a kind of a reserve force which could strengthen the armed forces in times of war and peace. Although this draft has been discontinued under President Nixon in 1973, (Oi, 42) the present times have seen an increasing focus on a debate about revoking this draft yet, again as the USA is embroiled in active combative scenarios in various countries around the world. This essay will examine if it would be prudent or otherwise; to make this sign up mandatory on the people. We have witnessed the two world wars and several military conflicts in the past decades, but the aftermath of technological advancement is also obvious in the changing natures of war. While the main crux of the war used to be active combat on battlefield in the past, now strikes from drones and guerilla warfare have been declared no less successful. This is the main reason why there is a growing need to bring up trained soldiers who are equipped and experienced in participating in a war. The lists of signatories who are enlisted in the draft are least bit prepared when it comes to actual warfare, having left behind families and any kind of militia training wound be found lacking in them that can potentially affect the outcome of the war. Making the draft mandatory on the citizens would set a wrong precedent of individuals taking up arms against an enemy and being driven towards killing others or even risk being killed. Going to the war is a decision that is taken by a group of indivi duals forming the government after following a due process of consultation. Only the government has resources that are necessary to meet that end. And hence, the responsibility too lies with it, and it must ensure to take up all steps to achieve the goals for that specific action. Those who favor an increased and compelled upon role of the people in case their nation goes to war, assert that there comes a time when the citizens need to reciprocate their association with their country by a meaningful contribution. It in no way should reflect that they are being deprived of their liberty as an individual. In one’s life, the rights and duties go hand in hand and fulfillment of one’s duty to the state is no less important. According to them, the citizens of a nation are liable to serve their country, because it is their nation that bestows them with opportunities to succeed through provision of rights and liberties, grants them a status of a citizen and unites them into a nation. Hence, they believe that a state owns the life of its citizens, and could claim it whenever a crisis situation emerges (Horowitz,Levendusky, 9). However, their claim presupposes that fighting for one’