The biggest problem I had here is that the question are way too broad to really answer here, but the draft is a nice, more specific example. If you're going to have a draft, it makes sense to discriminate on basis of age and physical ability merely for the utility's sake. It's just a waste of everyone's time to draft an 80 year old paraplegic (*).
While there're lots of good reasons not to have a draft based solely on practical concerns (the Army hates the idea of bringing back the draft), I'm not convinced that some form of national service perhaps shouldn't be a requirement. If it were to be, I'd insist on very few exceptions (serious health problems being the only exception I can think of that I'd be ok with off the top of my head). If it is going to be mandatory, it should be mandatory for everyone.
Of course, this gets to the actual heart of the matter. Ignoring practical considerations, is it morally acceptable to have something like this. 5 years ago, I would've said 'not a chance'. Today, I don't know. I think I'd be more concerned about inequities in the system and abuses of it than the morality of the concept today. It has been noted that I'm becoming a pretty lousy Libertarian in my dotage.
(*) - When my brother (who is a paraplegic) was a Senior in high school, the local Army recruiter called to do his thing. Steve agreed to come in a meet with the guy. Turns out, they only want you if you can walk. Steve still giggles when describing the look on the guy's face and his tortured explanation of why they suddenly changed their mind about recruiting him.
While there're lots of good reasons not to have a draft based solely on practical concerns (the Army hates the idea of bringing back the draft), I'm not convinced that some form of national service perhaps shouldn't be a requirement. If it were to be, I'd insist on very few exceptions (serious health problems being the only exception I can think of that I'd be ok with off the top of my head). If it is going to be mandatory, it should be mandatory for everyone.
Of course, this gets to the actual heart of the matter. Ignoring practical considerations, is it morally acceptable to have something like this. 5 years ago, I would've said 'not a chance'. Today, I don't know. I think I'd be more concerned about inequities in the system and abuses of it than the morality of the concept today. It has been noted that I'm becoming a pretty lousy Libertarian in my dotage.
(*) - When my brother (who is a paraplegic) was a Senior in high school, the local Army recruiter called to do his thing. Steve agreed to come in a meet with the guy. Turns out, they only want you if you can walk. Steve still giggles when describing the look on the guy's face and his tortured explanation of why they suddenly changed their mind about recruiting him.
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