Philosophies of the Draft Dodgers

Philosophies of the pen DodgersCountercultures, or groups that that break off from a dominant or larger society because they dis check up on with the societys commits or beliefs, can have lasting effects on goern custodyt policies or global affairs (Thomas 39). One such counterculture is the group of American write dodgers. These individuals evaded gulp, or opusdate forces service, in American since the American obliging struggle (The Editors of encyclopaedia Britannica). They turn downed the American entertains of patriotism and theme security during key fightfarefares such as universe War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. Also, they broke American laws, a part of the national culture, by burning their adumbrate card in resist and escaping to Canada to avoid their compulsory service specifically during the Vietnam War (Kennedy and Cohen 891). These actions employed by gulp dodgers display their own ideas and voices their rejection of the larger societys views , categorizing them as a counterculture in American history.Although write dodgers can and have bulge outed in early(a) countries around the world with mandatory military service, the American delineate dodgers are specifically nonable for their involvement in a number of American wars and polices. Draft evasion has root in several areas from pacifism to personal unwillingness. Some countries exempted conscientious objectors to war and the drawing off ( good deal who opposed bearing ordnance or violence for reasons cerebrate to their philosophy or religion) or provided them with specific jobs that did non solicit fighting, though others through give away history did non excuse these objectors from service (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). The united States addressed conscientious objectors during the Civil War by allowing them to serve in positions that did non require the use of weaponry (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). However, the 1940 conscript law s exquisite objectors as population who were part of a known pacifist group, not individuals that claimed personal objections (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). The United States started experiencing draft dodgers during the American Civil War when conscription was first implemented in 1861 (Michael Ray). The affluent society in the North avoided military service by utilizing a bounty trunk, where the drafted individuals compensable substitutes, especially African Americans, to enter the military for them (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). These citizens had an advantage everyplace the poor and the military soon consisted of lower classes, inciting hostility towards both the flush(p) and African Americans. Eventually, the Draft Riot of 1863 occurred with public unrest over this agreement for four days, New York City rioters targeted African American buildings with violence (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). After the Civil War, the draft similarly added to the countrys military power during the 2 World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. All of these wars presented opportunities for draft dodgers, nevertheless the just about renowned wars they affected were the American Civil War and the Vietnam War. Most people class draft unsusceptibility with American participation in the Vietnam War, where public stand firm of the draft escalated dramatically. Some of the public resistance of the draft stemmed from the selective portion Systems deferment actes which provided certain people with special opportunities to avoid the draft (Michael Ray). Some draft dodgers resisted conscription by escaping to Canada (Kennedy and Cohen 891). After the Military selective Service Act of 1967, burning draft cards, or the registration certificates for the draft, blow up as angiotensin-converting enzyme of the most popular form of protest even up though it broke government laws (Michael Ray). Protesters argued that the First Amendment p rotected their right to unleashly express resister to the draft with this method (Michael Ray). David OBrien was one of the draft dodgers who destroy their draft cards and ended up facing legal consequences (Michael Ray). His side eventually appeared before the Supreme Court in The United States v. OBrien, and the closing ruling stated that burning draft cards hindered government actions and was not considered protected free speech (Michael Ray).Draft dodgers held great historical signification in American policy. In the Civil War, the draft dodgers influenced the composition of the military with the use of a bounty system to buy their way out of service (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). Their actions in the Civil War influenced American policy during World War I by prompting the government to abate the bounty system in the 1917 Selective Service Act (Michael Ray). However, the most active and monumental role the draft dodgers played was during the Vietnam War (Kindi g). They armed serviceed enkindle opposition to the war with new drastic measures of burning draft cards and fleeing the country (Kennedy and Cohen 891). Their vocal actions had an unprecedented impact on the end of American involvement in the Vietnam War and the continuing attitudes later on. Currently, the U.S. draft sits hibernating(prenominal) since in that respect is no direct need for it, so draft dodgers appear less frequently in society as active protesters. However, in 1980 the government required draft registration for men in boldness the draft ever resurfaced, and this policy still affects todays population (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica).A sociological perspective and a sociological imagination can help people understand how draft dodgers actions affected the world. With a sociological perspective, people view others actions using scientific reasoning instead of everyday explanations (Thomas 4). It contends that everyone is a social being with hidden meanin gs behind his or her actions (Thomas 5). Clearly, draft dodgers did not protest the draft purely because of a disapproval of the implementation and process of the draft, although that did play a purpose in their actions. Using the sociological perspective, the actions of draft dodgers often target a larger intent to protest conscription in general and warfare as a method to sour conflict. A significant number of conscientious objectors objected to violence and bearing arms for religious or philosophical reasons, and since some governments did not excuse these objectors from service, they were compel to become draft dodgers in order to uphold their beliefs (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). The American draft dodgers actions during the Vietnam War also had these sentiments, after media coverage of the war displayed rough scenes that conflicted with their morals (Kennedy and Cohen 891). Draft dodgers conveyed the arguments for pacifism and nonviolence in their actions, two t hemes that defy to any country in the world. A sociological imagination, created by C. Wright Mills, allows people to connect their personal actions and experiences with the larger world in order to have a go at it the effects (Thomas 5). This viewpoint displays the great effects of draft dodger actions on larger bodies such as the United States of American and even the world. They importantly affected United States domestic and overseas policy. The Draft Riot of 1863 over the unfair bounty system influenced later domestic policy in the Selective Service Act of 1917, in which the process was prohibited (Michael Ray). They also influenced interpretation of the First Amendment when the Supreme Court case The United States v. OBrien arose from the protest method of burning draft cards that became popular during the Vietnam War (Michael Ray). The limitations of free speech were clarified for the American public, influencing later forms of protest. On the global perspective, foreign p olicy during the Vietnam War also received the impact of draft resistance since the protests amplified an opposition to American participation in the war. Their actions influenced the removal of American army from Vietnam.Ethnocentrism is conviction that one group of people reigns supreme over other inferior groups (Thomas 35). Draft dodgers had an element of ethnocentrism in their actions, contributing to their classification as a counterculture, specifically during times of war. The draft dodgers who were conscientious objectors for religious or philosophical reasons believed that their values of pacifism or their faith were passe-partout to the American sentiments of patriotism, leading them to resist the draft and conscription. Other draft dodgers felt that the value of life, including their own lives, was superior to patriotism, national security, or U.S. global power. They expressed their superior views by attempting to fulfill the requirements for exemption from service (de ferment from Selective Service boards for donnish or family reasons), burning their draft cards, or fleeing the country in order to not risk their own lives and protest the danger imposed on others lives (Michael Ray). Their ethnocentrism encouraged draft dodgers to protest and fight for their beliefs rather than just duly accepting their fate as American citizens, resulting in their counterculture status.Cultural relativism practices that the standards of cultures divers(prenominal) from one another, so a culture could only receive belief based on their own point of view (Thomas 36). Using heathenish relativism, draft dodgers avoid conscription because of their connection to the American culture from which they split. The American culture emphasized freedom to express and act according to an individuals beliefs (within plain limitations). These draft dodgers, surrounded by the ideas that sharing opinions is acceptable and appreciated, naturally protested their opposition to dr afts and conscription based on their own values and interests. In fact, one could argue that they protested the draft to save their own lives and the lives of their families, a priority for a number of people. A pacifist who is not a part of a formal organization would not receive exemption from conscription but would still have difficulty if drafted because the violence would conflict with his personal values, and may even die before fighting and breaking his values therefore, draft avoidance could save his life (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). The draft sent men off to war whether they wanted to go or not, and unfortunately not all soldiers return home to their families. The families of the men who never return to war are left with a hole in their family structure, especially if the man was unwilling to fight. In this case, protesting and dodging the draft could protect a mans family, a formidable incentive to avoid conscription. Cultural relativism allows other individu als to understand the stunningness of draft evasion for men and their loved ones.Despite the incentives to evade conscription, I personally do not agree with all of the philosophies of the draft dodgers. The draft dodgers rightfully protested the unfair draft systems such as the bounty system during the Civil War or the subjective deferments of the Selective Service bill and I agree with the ideas of pacifism and resolving conflicts without violence that spurred draft dodgers to reject conscription. However, the draft should remain a possible tool today with modifications that require women to register as well as men to guarantee a suitable fighting force for national security. I cannot see the value in protesting a draft if the whole country faces peril and death as a result of a lack of volunteers to a war effort (with hope that such a situation never arises in the future). Also, there is no harm in registering when the government may never activate draft again in ones lifespa n, and if the draft is reenacted, then there must be a dire need for soldiers with the already impressive advancements in military power through technology and volunteers. Although I cannot agree with their ideas, the fact remains that draft dodgers impacted American policies, values, and history importantly as longstanding counterculture.ReferencesKennedy, David M. and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant A History of the American People. Boston Cengage Learning, 2016. Textbook.Kindig, Jesse. Vietnam War Draft Resistance. 2008. Website. 3 March 2017.Michael Ray. Selective Service Acts. 10 September 2015. Website. 3 March 2017.The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. Conscientious Objector. 30 June 2010. Website. 3 March 2017.-. Conscription. 16 6 2011. Website. 3 March 2017.-. Draft Riot of 1863. 16 June 2011. Website. 3 March 2017.Thomas, W. LaVerne. Sociology The Study of Human Relationships. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003. Textbook.