34. The potential benefits of mandatory public service must be weighed against 4 r# v+ V& R9 E& j" X- o# Y2 k' T9 K, K
istrative problems and concerns about individual liberty. On balance, the costs to & f) F2 Y4 P/ q
a nation and to the participants would probably exceed the benefits.
- F+ V! S2 b4 o7 A4 ?6 Z/ h Admittedly, a colorable argument can be made for mandatory public service. It
$ _ R* Z4 Q$ T7 m ~- l2 U' i. L% c, swould help alleviate "free-rider" problems, where those who do not contribute benefit 0 S8 L' N c! V- b
from the efforts of those who do. It would mitigate pressing social problems—with & G- x0 `6 D" n, M _' Q
education, public health and safety, and the environment. It might instill in participants a
" z* C0 [& t/ H- o4 A Y; lsense of civic duty, community, and individual responsibility. Finally, it has worked on a $ e5 `5 u7 y6 Z$ }# j5 l
smaller scale, particularly in urban areas, where renewal projects succeed in making 7 w9 }9 g* y! O4 Q" }
communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous.$ l' S' I1 k; i
Far more compelling, however, are the arguments against mandatory public
# E8 m( Z0 g! R' s; Z3 |* [+ lservice. First, who would make assignments and decide what projects are worthwhile, * k4 H/ h0 H( P' e, a' a
and how would compliance be assured? Resolving enforcement issues would require
' l" i! l4 G* fgovernment control, in turn requiring increased taxes and/or cuts in other social
0 t# D1 M4 ~, O4 c$ gprograms, thereby nullifying the benefits of mandatory public service. Second, a . U- m- _. E3 P! d
mandatory system would open the floodgates to incompetence and inexperience. Finally,
4 {- G2 `3 ^3 X+ \" o. h! lthe whole notion seems tantamount to Communism insofar as each citizen must % `) W( E5 r( d: G5 I
contribute, according to his or her ability, to a strong state. Modern history informs us
& e( b- r) E& H8 y1 ^: M8 h$ Tthat such systems do not work. One could argue that mandatory public service is simply 1 d! a: O$ g# ]5 Y; k W5 H
a tax in the form of labor rather than dollars. However, compulsory labor smacks of ) M' e) A$ p, b
involuntary servitude, whereas financial taxes do not.
, \7 q( @4 ^0 G. _0 k( E1 D In conclusion, logistical and philosophical barriers to mandating public service
- ?0 D! v: O& N. }outweigh its potential benefits for the nation as well as for participants. |