Discussion
Rangel’s concern for the inclination of the current House of Representatives to the use of military expedition is legitimate. His concern is driven by the current underrepresentation of the US upper-class in the military. However, Rangel support for the reinstatement of a draft is prompted by the fact that he believes that the legislators vote for the use of force because their family members do not actively participate in the war. I sharply differ with this perspective on a couple of grounds. First of all, the United States is a global hegemon due to its economic and military capabilities. It is the abundance of these resources in the United States that makes the United States a unique nation compared to the rest of the world. If the United States does not use it military might in streamlining international politics, then it will be sending a message to the rest of the world that it is a soft power state. Considering that states are power ‘maximisers’ in the international system, the use of diplomacy in the solving of external aggressor, would create a window for other great powers and transnational organization to keep the United States on the offensive. This means that the United States had in the case of Iraq had to employ force as a deterrent measure for other nations that might in future want to threaten global security. Therefore, legislators in Congress did not vote for the US involvement in Iraq due to the mere fact that there families do not actively participate in combat but due to the fact that the United States has a role as a global hegemon to bring peace and stability to the world. This means that the reinstatement of the draft is not only unwise but it is also not founded on both logic and a clear understanding of the US role in international politics. If participation in national service was made a requirement people can serve in other capacities like think-tanks that can give advice to the military during combat, or partipate in manufacturing and processing of military equipment. Therefore, the reinstatement of the draft is not necessary because you do not have to actively participate in combat to be considered an American citizen. One can serve in other socio-political structures and roles that seek to back up military expeditions abroad.
