March 01, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States believe conscription should not be enacted again, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. 64 per cent of respondents oppose a military service draft.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States believe conscription should not be enacted again, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. 64 per cent of respondents oppose a military service draft.

In addition, 73 per cent of respondents would welcome young people volunteering to serve their country, and 43 per cent are in favour of a draft that would allow people to choose between military and non-military service.

American citizens have been drafted during various armed conflicts, including the two World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The practice of conscription was discontinued in 1973, but the Selective Service System—which registers all adult males to assemble information on potential soldiers—remains in place as a contingency measure.

In October 2004, U.S. president George W. Bush issued a statement following calls to reinstate the draft, which read, "America's all-volunteer military is the best in the world, and reinstating the draft would be bad policy." In April 2005, U.S. defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld declared, "I think the only people who could conceivably be talking about a draft are people who are speaking from pinnacles of near-perfect ignorance. The last thing we need is a draft. We just don't."

Last year, Democratic New York congressman Charles Rangel reintroduced legislation which seeks to reinstate the military draft. In November, California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi—who now serves as House speaker—dismissed Rangel's idea, adding, "It's not about a draft; it's about shared sacrifice in our country. (Pushing for a draft is) a way to make a point that (the Iraq) war has not involved or made any shared sacrifice."

Polling Data

Opportunities exist for young adults to serve their country, through military or non-military service. Non-military, civilian service includes tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged youth, improving health services, building affordable housing, cleaning parks and streams, and helping communities respond to disasters. If both military and non-military service offered similar educational and health benefits, do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

	Agree	Disagree	Not sure
I think it is important for young people to serve their country, but this service should be voluntary	73%	19%	9%
Besides the military and non-military options mentioned above, there should be another option for young people to serve their country	63%	19%	18%
I would support a draft where young adults can choose between military and non-military service	43%	46%	11%
I would support a draft, but only for military service	24%	64%	12%
I would support a draft, but only for non-military service	14%	72%	14%
I don't think it is important for young people to serve their country	14%	77%	9%

Source: Harris Interactive
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,337 American adults, conducted from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.