The National Service Delusion

Calls to revive ‘National Service’ not only fail to comprehend the historical context in which it was possible, but also demonstrate a poisonously authoritarian attitude to ‘young’ people.

A Second World War-era poster depicting male and female military personnel and people engaged in other forms of ‘National Service’ (Ministry of Labour and National Service/Drake Brookshaw and Doreen Debenham).

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This post is part of the ‘Research and Reflections’ occasional series, consisting of pieces based on my ongoing academic research, as well as on my musings on and responses to current affairs and personal developments.

Content warning: Suicide.