LIBERALISM AND THE OBLIGATION TO MILITARY SERVICE

This article argues that liberalism's failure to address systematicall y the question of citizens' obligation to military service is indicati ve of its wider failure to develop a satisfactory concept of citizensh ip. Whilst liberalism's individualist bias, implicit class assumptions and hope of transcending war have all contributed to neglect of citiz en duty to bear arms, the most interesting reason, in relation to cont emporary republican critiques, is liberalism's inadequate view of citi zenship. This article examines the different approaches of the classic al English liberals Locke, Bentham and J. S. Mill to international rel ations, forms of national defence and the role (if any) of citizens, a nd considers very briefly the views of some contemporary liberal theor ists on military service and justified resistance to the draft. Finall y, it comments on the implicit reliance of liberal polities on non-lib eral models of citizenship, and the need for a coherent liberal concep t of citizenship which includes an examination of responsibility for d efence.