Heinlein never met Oliver North. This is the problem I have with a lot of political/social/economic utopian fiction. Everyone from Henilein to L. Neil Smith sets up these perfect societies. The inherent flaws and challenges are never expressed. It is much safer to think of these utopias the same way one thinks of ray guns and FTL travel, interesting fictional devices to advance the plot.
Reality is different. Even in a non-military service, regimentation would occur. While all communities force at least some order upon individuals, a Federal service would have much more power to do so. This is nothing new. In the late 1800's, Russia conscripted many Jewish citizens in an effort to secularize them.
While it seems like a nice idea to send the unruly masses to 'military school' in order to 'earn' their full rights, the truth is that a truly free society should not be afraid to extend these rights to every citizen. While almost every society has some cultural or economic caste system, withholding the franchise would mean ceasing to be a democracy.
In a more practical vein, consider the effect on the working class. If one is forced to choose between supporting one's family and volunteering for a service, is that really a choice. Such a system would be biased towards the middle and upper classes.
It was a fun book to read, but in practical terms it bore as much relation to reality as the fictional Mars and Venus found in 1950's space movies. Personally, if I had to choose between Libertarianland and the Amazon women of Mars, I know what I'd pick.
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Heinlein never met Oliver North. This is the problem I have with a lot of political/social/economic utopian fiction. Everyone from Henilein to L. Neil Smith sets up these perfect societies. The inherent flaws and challenges are never expressed. It is much safer to think of these utopias the same way one thinks of ray guns and FTL travel, interesting fictional devices to advance the plot.
Reality is different. Even in a non-military service, regimentation would occur. While all communities force at least some order upon individuals, a Federal service would have much more power to do so. This is nothing new. In the late 1800's, Russia conscripted many Jewish citizens in an effort to secularize them.
While it seems like a nice idea to send the unruly masses to 'military school' in order to 'earn' their full rights, the truth is that a truly free society should not be afraid to extend these rights to every citizen. While almost every society has some cultural or economic caste system, withholding the franchise would mean ceasing to be a democracy.
In a more practical vein, consider the effect on the working class. If one is forced to choose between supporting one's family and volunteering for a service, is that really a choice. Such a system would be biased towards the middle and upper classes.
It was a fun book to read, but in practical terms it bore as much relation to reality as the fictional Mars and Venus found in 1950's space movies. Personally, if I had to choose between Libertarianland and the Amazon women of Mars, I know what I'd pick.