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Should there be mandatory national service? Should there be mandatory national service?
No, mandatory service should not exist No, mandatory service should not exist
Yes, mandatory service is essential Yes, mandatory service is essential
Mandatory service requirements infringe on civil rights Mandatory service requirements infringe on civil rights
Mandatory service requirements are easily manipulated Mandatory service requirements are easily manipulated
Mandatory service keeps the country safe Mandatory service keeps the country safe
Mandatory service promotes patriotism and unity Mandatory service promotes patriotism and unity
Mandatory service can save governments money Mandatory service can save governments money
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Should there be mandatory national service?
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No, mandatory service should not exist

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Mandatory service requirements infringe on civil rights

Mandatory national service is a violation of civil and individual rights. Mandatory national service forces citizens into harmful and dangerous situations against their will, with little to no benefit.
U.S. Constitution Stuart Anderson
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The Argument

The United States Constitution declares it illegal and unjust to forcefully enslave or have involuntary servitude on the citizens. Therefore, the act of mandatory service would be unconstitutional and unjust.[1] To continue, in other countries, mandatory service would infringe on individual rights and the courses of the citizens' lives. Peoples' lives would be put at risk for multiple years during their mandatory service, and their experiences could negatively affect the rest of their life. Disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and clinical depression are very common in veterans. Forcing citizens to put their lives at risk and possibly develop life-altering mental and physical changes is a massive overstep of government authority.[2] National mandatory service would further engrain racism, sexism, and misogyny for people in service and would force individuals into threatening and potentially harmful situations with other people against their will. [3] Citizens of a nation are not the government's property to do or die as the government wishes, and mandatory service is hugely unjust and undermines individual liberty and freedom.

Counter arguments

National military service is a normal and common aspect of citizen life for many people across the globe.[4] The government offers many benefits to citizens and through service, the citizens can benefit their government. [5] National service helps citizens relate to one another and have a deeper appreciation for their liberty and freedom, after having served first hand to protect it. [6]

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.procon.org/headlines/mandatory-national-service-top-3-pros-and-cons/
  2. https://reason.com/2018/10/19/why-mandatory-national-service-is-both-u/
  3. https://reason.com/2018/10/19/why-mandatory-national-service-is-both-u/
  4. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-with-mandatory-military-service
  5. https://www.procon.org/headlines/mandatory-national-service-top-3-pros-and-cons/
  6. https://www.procon.org/headlines/mandatory-national-service-top-3-pros-and-cons/

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This page was last edited on Friday, 23 Oct 2020 at 01:43 UTC

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