William James suggested that all citizens should take part in national service. He believed this would help build strong character and a sense of community without the violence of war. His idea of mandatory service is similar to the forced labor seen in communist governments, where people are made to work for the good of society.
However, forced labor takes away basic freedoms and violates human rights. People should have the choice to volunteer instead of being forced. When people are made to do something, they often don’t give their best effort. This can lead to poor results, low productivity, and anger toward the government.
History shows that similar ideas in communist countries caused more harm than good. These programs often failed to achieve their goals and created distrust and unhappiness among citizens. Instead of bringing people together, they caused division and resentment.
While James’s idea had good intentions, it’s important to learn from the past. Any plan for national service should focus on giving people the freedom to choose and respect their rights. Only then can it truly benefit both individuals and society.