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Should a year of national service be required for all Americans?
March 18, 2010
Citizenship is a team sport, uniting private individuals in the public life of their country. But what does citizenship require of us? What responsibilities do we have to the team? The Founders created a nation dedicated to the individual’s right to pursue happiness. At the same time, they defined the virtuous citizen as someone who is willing to set aside self-interest to pursue the common good.
Throughout our country’s history Americans have dedicated themselves to national service. They have defended our nation as citizen soldiers and have served their communities to meet civilian needs. Federal programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps currently support, fund and, manage these national service programs. If we admire such service, should we also require it of all citizens?
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