The Moral Equivalent of War?: A Study of Non-Military Service in Nine Nations

This book studies the non-military national service programmes in nine countries: Canada, China, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Nigeria, the United States, and West Germany. Incorporating the efforts of five contributing authors and the support of many individuals and organizations all over the world, this volume not only provides a reference in comparing national service programs but also explores the multiple outcomes of national service programs on many levels including social, economic, and individual. Although, as this comparative study shows, countries far less affluent than the United States have found it worthwhile to invest in national service, it also shows that the functional success of such a program depends to a certain extent on the balance of benefit and cost. The book addresses various forms of compensation to participating individuals, (eg, wage, room and board, credit toward a college education), as well as the possibility that such compensation conflicts with the idea of service, and instead becomes a source of employment. At this time when the idea of national service is gaining support in the United States, these and other issues addressed in the book are especially critical. In addition to the nine chapters that are devoted to the nine countries included in this study, there is a chapter on policy and programme characteristics and one on comparing and understanding non-military service in different nations. A final chapter casts a thoughtful eye to development of a national service policy in the United States.