more from Michael Walzer

Single Idea 23589

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / c. Combatants]

Full Idea

Soldiers may stand to civilians like the crew of a liner to its passengers, for whom they must risk their lives. …But would they be so bound if the sailors had been kidnapped?

Gist of Idea

Kidnapped sailors and volunteers have different obligations to the passengers

Source

Michael Walzer (Just and Unjust Wars [1977], 19)

Book Reference

Walzer,Michael: 'Just and Unjust Wars' [Penguin 1984], p.305


A Reaction

The point, I assume, is that a conscripted army does not have the same obligations as volunteers. I can't imagine that principle being accepted in an army which is a mixture of the two.