Is "Compulsory National Service" a form of Slavery?

[Middle-aged Europe]

It's no slavery and it's not "a form" of slavery either. And I'm saying that as an opponent of conscription.

[Хahar 🤔]

In fairness, the question asks if it's a form of slavery, not if it's exactly the same.  Big difference.

If it's a form of slavery, that would mean that it is slavery.

[Oakvale]

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

This. It's the kind of offensive hyperbole I've come to expect from, uh, some element on this forum though.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

This. It's the kind of offensive hyperbole I've come to expect from, uh, some element on this forum though.

You mean the freedom-loving, non-fascistic element on the forum.

[angus]

Yes

Interesting question.  I've been posting here nearly seven years, and mostly this board only sees the same questions over and over again, but I've not seen this one.  Haven't even thought of it.

The U.N. defines slavery very clearly, and touches on it every once in a while, clearly in opposition, although it doesn't seem to have the balls to do much about it.  But many of those member states in ratification of its definition are those states with compulsory service obligations.  

My gut feeling is that it does not constitute slavery.  Mainly based on the fact that the modern definition usually involves some statement of "property" or something along those lines.  Even though, in the movies, the stereotypical company commander says stuff like, "your soul may belong to Jesus, but your ass belongs to me" I'd always taken such quips metaphorically, rather than literally.  I haven't voted in your poll, but then it is my habit not to vote in these polls till after I've posted a few times and read some other polls first, and even then I may not vote in it--I don't even give telephone pollsters answers.  I'm an asshole like that.  Still, it's a very provocative question. Tip o' the hat to you for thinking of it.  I'll have to think more about it and get back to you.

[k-onmmunist]

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

This. It's the kind of offensive hyperbole I've come to expect from, uh, some element on this forum though.

You mean the freedom-loving, non-fascistic element on the forum.

PLEASE NO MORE USE OF FASCISM AS AN EPITHET FOR CHRISTS SAKE.

Thank you.

I don't see how it isn't slavery to be honest. Just like I don't see how capitalism isn't.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I oppose it with a passion, but calling it slavery makes really no sense.

[Beet]

Is there a reason slavery is spelled with a capital S in the thread title?

[Lief 🗽]

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

This. It's the kind of offensive hyperbole I've come to expect from, uh, some element on this forum though.

You mean the freedom-loving, non-fascistic element on the forum.

PLEASE NO MORE USE OF FASCISM AS AN EPITHET FOR CHRISTS SAKE.

Thank you.

I don't see how it isn't slavery to be honest. Just like I don't see how capitalism isn't.

Winston makes a good point: many of this forum's fiercest opponents of mandatory community service are also this forum's fiercest supporters of wage slavery. Strange how that works out.

[tpfkaw]

Winston makes a good point: many of this forum's fiercest opponents of mandatory community service are also this forum's fiercest supporters of wage slavery. Strange how that works out.

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[k-onmmunist]

wormyguy blows me away with his eloquence as usual.

[Associate Justice PiT]

wormyguy blows me away with his eloquence as usual.

     The truth need not be stated eloquently to be true.

[k-onmmunist]

Yes, but libertarianism is the enemy of truth.

[Free Palestine]

Is there a reason slavery is spelled with a capital S in the thread title?

Forgive my lack of understanding of proper capitalization in titles.  I barely knew what nouns, verbs, and adjectives were until fairly recently.

Winston makes a good point: many of this forum's fiercest opponents of mandatory community service are also this forum's fiercest supporters of wage slavery. Strange how that works out.

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[patrick1]

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

Exactly.

I'd agree as well.  It started generations back, but I think the pendulum has swing too far to the individualism side of things in relation to a community orientated focus. I just think people really don't care about there neighbors anymore like people used to.

[Free Palestine]

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

Exactly.

I'd agree as well.  It started generations back, but I think the pendulum has swing too far to the individualism side of things in relation to a community orientated focus. I just think people really don't care about there neighbors anymore like people used to.

So we should force people to?

[Ban my account ffs!]

I wouldn't go so far as to say "slavery" since it has a definite end to it and often has exclusions for certain conditions.  But it definitely could be construed as such under a broad interpretation of the term.

I disagree with compulsory national service very strongly... in any case unless there is a ground attack on the nation and volunteer services can't keep up.  But in the U.S., for example, if that were to happen... I think a lot of people would enroll of their own free will.

[Lief 🗽]

Winston makes a good point: many of this forum's fiercest opponents of mandatory community service are also this forum's fiercest supporters of wage slavery. Strange how that works out.

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Please elaborate as to what you find to be so funny.

[Free Palestine]

Winston makes a good point: many of this forum's fiercest opponents of mandatory community service are also this forum's fiercest supporters of wage slavery. Strange how that works out.

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Please elaborate as to what you find to be so funny.

"Wage slavery."  Hurrdurr

[k-onmmunist]

Winston makes a good point: many of this forum's fiercest opponents of mandatory community service are also this forum's fiercest supporters of wage slavery. Strange how that works out.

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Please elaborate as to what you find to be so funny.

"Wage slavery."  Hurrdurr

There's not much funny about wage slavery really, unless you're one of the wage slaveowners.

[Free Palestine]

Winston makes a good point: many of this forum's fiercest opponents of mandatory community service are also this forum's fiercest supporters of wage slavery. Strange how that works out.

No, and calling it such is insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves. The fact that having to do community service for a year is even being compared to actual slavery is disgusting, though not surprising, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Please elaborate as to what you find to be so funny.

"Wage slavery."  Hurrdurr

There's not much funny about wage slavery really, unless you're one of the wage slaveowners.

Calling having to get a job in order to make money to pay your living expenses "slavery" is rather absurd.

[tpfkaw]

Calling having to get a job in order to make money to pay your living expenses "slavery" is rather absurd.

I would say that it's rather disgusting, and insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves.  Not surprising though, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

[Earth]

Calling having to get a job in order to make money to pay your living expenses "slavery" is rather absurd.

Yes, as we all know, slavery only constitutes one specific thing. Ever.

And no, compulsory service is not slavery.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Calling having to get a job in order to make money to pay your living expenses "slavery" is rather absurd.

Yes, as we all know, slavery only constitutes one specific thing. Ever.

And no, compulsory service is not slavery.

I agree with this.

I would say it's more a form of civil service.  Going to school is compulsory as well.  Is that a form of slavery?

I believe either everybody should have to do it or nobody... that includes gays and womens.

[Lief 🗽]

Calling having to get a job in order to make money to pay your living expenses "slavery" is rather absurd.

I would say that it's rather disgusting, and insulting to the millions of Americans who actually were slaves.  Not surprising though, considering the white, middle-class suburbanite tilt of this forum.

You copied my post, bro.