En sak i Human Action

Nedanående citat finns på sidan 282 i fjärde edition av Human Action

” From this point of view one has to deal with the often-raised problem of whether conscription and the levy of taxes mean a 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 and 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 country 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 praxeological law dictates. In a world full of unswerving aggressors 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.“

Med andra ord så var alltså Mises för värnplikt i syfte att defensivt försvara sitt land mot utländska hot. Det kan låta nobelt, men faktum är att värnplikt är tvång och jag tror inte att man behöver använda tvång för att försvara ett fritt land (eller ens ett semi-fritt land) mot totalitära angripare. Jag kan förvisso ha förståelse för att man använder tvång om man väl blir anfallen, men det är fortfarande moraliskt fel.