[steve19]

Let me first say that I wholeheartedly oppose conscription. I know former conscripts from a couple of different countries and they really disliked their time in the military.

But ...

You are confusing cause and effect. Israel and South Korea, have conscription because of war. Both would rather live in peace but both are technically at war and have been for decades. Not to be confused with conscription during Vietnam which was a foreign war.

> As an aside, in a country with conscription there would be no civilians

It depends on the country, but my understanding is that you can choose to relinquish your citizenship you no longer have to serve. Of course you would need to seek refugee status in a sympathetic country.

You cannot always have the benefits of citizenship without paying a cost.