In the modern world, it is difficult to imagine a nation without a professional standing military force, but throughout history such a force has been considered at odds with the liberty of the people. The debate was far from settled when the United States was founded. While many consider it an absolute necessity today, the standing army has been recognized by many thinkers as the natural precursor to empire, a force that compels the host nation to constantly expand.
Great article, Auron. I've been long perplexed exactly how we might go about fixing our horrible foreign policy, but prioritizing citizen militia over a standing army might actually be a way through. Reinstating the draft (for men only) in the form of 5 years required National Guard service (similar to Israel) might solve a lot of other domestic problems simultaneously, e.g., crisis of manhood, etc.
"...cities without freedom have never expanded either in dominion or in wealth. For it is not the specific value but the general value that makes cities great. And certainly this general value is only found in republics."
I am a retired Soldier. Spent almost 9 active duty, and the next 17 in the National Guard-both part time and full time. I have often thought the active duty army & USMC should be about the size of the USMC--175Kish--maybe USSOCOM and XVIII Airborne Corps, but triple, even quadruple, the size of the Army National Guard.
The Navy's ability to project power abroad and keep sea lanes safe should be funded by a percentage of all goods exported/imported with a 'brought to you by the safety the USN provides the world'...
The $.50 increase in the cost of gas reflects how quickly unsafe oceans make things even more expensive.
Maybe the Navy & Air Force could become net financial revenue streams instead of costs, especially if we push 80% of it all into the reserve component.
The citizen soldier also brings the nation to war instead of an (essentially) mercenary/warrior class who have less and less common with citizens over time.
Moving to a mostly reserve component military would demand our economy shift away from military industrial to something else. Maybe it could be building something other than weapons for war. Maybe, just maybe, we could build something beautiful. Something good. Something true.
Great article, Auron. I've been long perplexed exactly how we might go about fixing our horrible foreign policy, but prioritizing citizen militia over a standing army might actually be a way through. Reinstating the draft (for men only) in the form of 5 years required National Guard service (similar to Israel) might solve a lot of other domestic problems simultaneously, e.g., crisis of manhood, etc.
This is a hard lesson for conservatives to learn, but it is true that the founding fathers would dread a large peacetime army.
"...cities without freedom have never expanded either in dominion or in wealth. For it is not the specific value but the general value that makes cities great. And certainly this general value is only found in republics."
Niccolo Machiavelli, Discourses on Livy (1651)
I am a retired Soldier. Spent almost 9 active duty, and the next 17 in the National Guard-both part time and full time. I have often thought the active duty army & USMC should be about the size of the USMC--175Kish--maybe USSOCOM and XVIII Airborne Corps, but triple, even quadruple, the size of the Army National Guard.
The Navy's ability to project power abroad and keep sea lanes safe should be funded by a percentage of all goods exported/imported with a 'brought to you by the safety the USN provides the world'...
The $.50 increase in the cost of gas reflects how quickly unsafe oceans make things even more expensive.
Maybe the Navy & Air Force could become net financial revenue streams instead of costs, especially if we push 80% of it all into the reserve component.
The citizen soldier also brings the nation to war instead of an (essentially) mercenary/warrior class who have less and less common with citizens over time.
Moving to a mostly reserve component military would demand our economy shift away from military industrial to something else. Maybe it could be building something other than weapons for war. Maybe, just maybe, we could build something beautiful. Something good. Something true.
bsn