Is it a contradiction for a socialist - to want to serve in

[ComradeFubar]

Would it be considered a contradiction for a socialist to want to serve in his countires armed forces on on his own free will .

I would like to hear the communitys views on this

[Son of Scargill]

I would think it would all depend on your country.If you believe in the political and social aspirations of your govt./state,it should be fine to want to defend it from outside aggression or influence.If I was Cuban,for example,it wouldn't be a problem to me(well it would actually,the army life is not for me).But you get my point.
Another way to look at it is that if you disagree with your state,but can manage to keep your head down,you can learn quite a few skills that would not be possible to get in civilian life.But you will be exposed to a high degree of brainwashing,believe me.

[DaNatural]

scargill i think u said it best, i dont think i can add much, i think if u disagree with your countrie policy then it is a contradiction to join cus you'll be fighting for those same practices but only in times of war. now u can also join and get scholarships and use the system to your own advantage, so i guess it also depends on the circumstances. i personally would not serve in a capitalist army. peace

[Freiheit]

im swiss, so if i will go back to switzerland, i will have to
go to the army for about one year, or i can go to jail for
half a year.
i will go to the army, and i dont think i will act against my
socialist ideals.

[ComradeFubar]

yep i think comrade Son of Scargill said it best...i meaneven if a socialist revolution was to come in a peacefull democratic fashion it would most likely recive armed opostion from large coperations with access to large resources, so it would be good a thing if we had socialist who have been trianed in warfare to defend the new socialist society.
Socialists in the armed forces would also contribute to raising the political conciousness of the armed forces aswell and i dont think some one who is educated well enough to understand socialism/communism would not be succetable to propoganda being bombarded to him.

[psycho chicken]

i'll share what i told fubar in private (we're mates, or should i say comrades)

once a socailist system is in place (asuming it will be. oh let it be), surely there will be capitalists that will try to overthrow our system. we will need to "deal" with these groups.

and also, off the topic, the way i understand it is right wing is the people who don't want change. so if a leftist system comes in, and we want it to stay, does that make us both right and left wing?

[gogo gomez]

im a bit confused...even if you do decide to join whatever army that defends a country or nation the person is not always aware of what they are really fighting for. this is my belief, i would not join an armed forces for america but i commend those that do and would not discourage anyone from doing so.

what about patroling the borders? any thought on such? pls give feed back it would be appreciated.

[gogo gomez]

Quote: from psycho chicken on 3:12 pm on Nov. 28, 2001

once a socailist system is in place (asuming it will be. oh let it be), surely there will be capitalists that will try to overthrow our system. we will need to "deal" with these groups.

and also, off the topic, the way i understand it is right wing is the people who don't want change. so if a leftist system comes in, and we want it to stay, does that make us both right and left wing?


psycho chicken, wow you amaze me. do you really believe the people stand a chance against corporations?
dont the police and military support the best interest of the elite? my feeling (and its merely a feeling) that the situation is hopeless unless we can utilize another method or ideaology. even the great Che instructed to learn the techniques of "the present day". do you really believe war has changed? the best to you.

[AR]

I think it is not bad to participate in the natinal army of your country(only if it is obligatory).You get to know how to use arms,which is necessary in a revolution,but you must avoid participating in any imperialistic actions.My country fought against fascists in WW2.Wouldn't anyone join then even under a capitalist government?

[Freiheit]

every job you do is in a capitalist economy and supports
capitalism, almost every job.
so i dont see what is wrong if i go to the army, or do you
want that i go to jail?

[ComradeFubar]

gogo gomez you amaze me, are you realy that overwhelmed by corpartions of this world that you think the people can not doing anything about them. History has shown us that when people are united they can achive anything against huge odds.
All so to tie in with the topic, you say that the millitary will have its best intrests with the elite..wont it be hard for the military to follow the intrests of the "elite" if it has politicaly concious memberrs admidst its ranks..just look at the Frech revolt in 1957(correct me if im wrong on this date), the commander and chief of the armed forces told president Cherac(excuse the spelling) that they were not relible to shoot at civilian protestors and that they had formed soldiers commites to to take part in the mass protests and stikes that swept France during the period and nearly resulted in a sociallist revolution but was subsequintly betrayed by the stalanist Communist party

[Fires of History]

If you were socialist in a socialist country, even I would sign up!

But if you are a socialist/communist/left thinker in the U$ or other capitali$tic countries, then yes, it is not only hypocritical it is wrong.

Power to the People,
Trance