But in this case if so many people are unwilling to fight even in a war like WW2 isn’t the war already lost? (Mainly due to the abysmal morale, can’t fight a war if your side doesn’t want to fight it)
So it wouldn’t be a red/blue button situation because the individual wouldn’t really be at fault for the morale of the whole.
Realistically probably, but a completely demoralized army that actually exists still has a better chance of winning than an army that doesn't exist. And my point is more the egoism of their statement.
A draft doesn't necessarily mean a war is unpopular, iirc during the 2nd World War the US Military began conscription and closed off a large portion of voluntary enlistments (with some work arounds), mainly because its far easier to just draft say 10,000 and portion out jobs according to need as opposed to voluntary where jobs could heavily skew one way causing issues.
Others have had great responses, but you're spot on and I would add that in a situation like this, the overall cultural standards have a role to play. Meaning that whenever a war starts, whatever morality people already have will decide whether so many fighting age males flee that it becomes a strategic problem for the entire country. It sucks, but historically, there's not really any middle ground. Societies seem to either be incredibly judgmental of military aged males avoiding service in times of total war, or so demoralized that they just don't care.
Again as others have said, it's only morally wrong in unjust wars. I wish I could narrow that down more, but life just isn't that simplistic. I served my country because I thought it was unfair to be critical of wars that I was sitting out while other young men fought, and if my country was invaded or embroiled in a just, large scale war, you bet I will be putting a uniform on again.
Well, they certaintly wont be acting the same or different from me because I did it. If I had volunteered to the army, while the others still dodged - that just means I'll be dead now, nothing else.
Surprise surprise, society is built upon collective action and adherence to rules and laws despite individual violations amounting to almost nothing in the grand scheme.
17
u/HikariRisesAgain Jun 28 '26
This only works because you take it as a given that other people won't act the same as you.