Would conditional citizenship be beneficial?

I have had this idea before as well, however (with me you will see that there is almost always a “however”) the service would have to include non-military civil duties as well. I think the idea merits thought.

Beneficial for the state? Yes.

Well I guess that it presupposes a future world whereby the needs of standing armies are in fact necessary. I imagine a future world where national armies are converted to police forces. And as imbalances in standards of living, housing and healthcare were met these would be even be less necessary throughout the world. I do agree with the prospect of every member serving for the nation though perhaps in a central government for a period of time though.. and maybe to defend against huge bugs. :)

What of those people who, due to physical disabilities are not able to serve in the military. What of those who oppose military service for religious or ethical reasons? These people don’t love their country any less than the people who serve in the armed forces. No, I don’t think this is beneficial to anyone but the State, and I would be completely against it. (Before anyone starts with the bullshit, I have served in the military)

@The_unconservative_one I mentioned in my question that there would be opportunities to serve made available to those who had physical disabilities that would otherwise prevent them from serving. Logistical roles and whatnot.

As to your second point, in the book, it wasn’t about how much someone “loved their country.” It was about someone’s willingness to sacrifice their own desires for the country. There was no punishment for not serving. Those who had shown, by their service, an ability to place the needs of the country before their own needs would be the ones making the decisions as to what direction the country moved.

It would certainly help to prevent leaders who’ve never served from indiscriminately sending young men off to war.

If it were not only military service, but civil service of some sort for those who are oposed to the military it could work very well in my opinion. It is a great book nevertheless :D

@Poser even with allowances made for handicapped individuals, I still am completely against this system. As far as your second point, having served in the military isn’t a qualification (nor should it be) for the job of President.

But puttin others before yourself is…

You say rights would go to “those who have shown a willingness to put the country’s needs before thier own—to sacrifice.” However, my beliefs of what the country’s needs are is radically different than what the government seems to believe the country’s needs are. So unless I go perform some service that government chooses that would most likely go against everything I believe (like going to other countries and shooting people) I should have no citizenship?

@benjaminlevi No. The government would be run, not by career-bureaucrats, but by prior soldiers who would understand, so the theory goes, the true cost of war. Ergo, they would be less likely to indiscriminately send people off to war to die for their harebrained schemes.

And remember, in the book, they were going to other worlds to kill giant bugs who were killing them first.