Ludwig von Mises on the Military Draft

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Ludwig von Mises on the Military Draft

Gary North

Aug. 31, 2012

This appears in Human Action, 3rd ed. (Chicago: Regnery, 1966), p. 282.

From this point of view one has to deal with the often-raised problem of whether conscription and the levy of taxes mean any restriction of freedom. If the principles of the market economy were acknowledged by all people all over the world, there would not be any reason to wage war in the individual states could live in undisturbed peace. But as conditions are in our age, a free nation is continually threatened by the aggressive schemes of totalitarian autocracies. If it wants to preserve its freedom, it must be prepared to defend its independence. If the government of a free economy forces every citizen to cooperate fully in its designs to repel the aggressors and every able-bodied man to join the armed forces, it does not impose upon the individual a duty that would step beyond the tasks the psychological law dictates. In a world full of unswerving aggressors and and enslavers, integral unconditional pacifism is tantamount to unconditional surrender to the most ruthless oppressors. He who wants to remain free, must fight unto death those who are intent upon depriving him of his freedom. As isolated attempts on the part of each individual to resist are doomed to failure, the only workable way is to organize resistance by the government. The essential task of government is defense of the social system not only against domestic gangsters but also against external foes. He who in our age opposes armaments and conscription is, perhaps unbeknown to himself, an abettor of those aiming at the enslavement of all.

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