Is an All-volunteer Military Good for Democracy

Is an All-volunteer Military Good for
Democracy?

Prior to the undeclared Iraq War, I never
thought of this question. I served during
the unfair Vietnam Draft, where the
disadvantaged shouldered most of the
responsibility and casualties, and during the
present time of an all-volunteer force.
There is no doubt that the current all-
volunteer force is superbly trained and
highly motivated. However, when there is not
an equal shouldering of risk, as a country
would have in a draft where all young men and
women are equally subject to serve, does
going to war become too easy? There are many
fewer Veterans in today’s administration and
Congress. Without personal military
experience to provide perspective, would the
present administration and Congress rush to
war if their children and grand children were
at equal risk to losing their lives?
Speaking with a few college students
recently, it was clear that their interest in
the Iraq War would be much stronger if they
were subjected to a universal draft. Is the
electorate less engaged in going to war
because they pay someone else to die for
them? If an all-volunteer military causes the
electorate to treat going to war like a less
entertaining version of “Survivor,” then
this is not good for democracy!

John T. Nosek
CIS Professor
nosek@temple.edu