Typically, an empire's greatest restriction on its wrongdoing and aggressive war has nothing to do with the wrongs done to others - those are easily masked with flowery words of how you are 'defending your nation' and such - but rather, the cost in casualties of your own nation's troops. There is no shortage of enemies, because the very nature and purpose of empire are the advantages from being in the limited group who benefits at the expense of another, so there will always be another group for that second-class role.
So, the trick is to reduce the number of your own casualties, and a time-tested method for this is to use mercenaries; whether paid, or preferably, cheap labor from conquered foes.
But here's an idea for the US: the Mexican mercenaries.
Consider the factors that now exist:
- Business has a huge need for the cheap labor.
- The US has a huge need for troops, both at all because we're stretched thin, but especially ones with a lower domestic political cost as casualties.
- We're unable to stop the flow of immigrants anyway.
- Right-wing political opposition to illegal immigrants disappears if the people have served the US in the armed forces.
- There is political pressure to be the party to open the doors to Mexicans and get their very important swing votes in gratitude.
The US could create some program where foreigners are invited to serve in the US military for a period in exchange for access to a guest worker or citizenship spot.
It could include English language training for a small cost compared to the benefits.
Problem solved - a huge supply of troops for our 'needs', little domestic political price for the casualties, the public feeling they 'earned' citizenship, and the 'cheap labor force'.
Food for thought. I think it's pretty appalling, but imaginable.
So, the trick is to reduce the number of your own casualties, and a time-tested method for this is to use mercenaries; whether paid, or preferably, cheap labor from conquered foes.
But here's an idea for the US: the Mexican mercenaries.
Consider the factors that now exist:
- Business has a huge need for the cheap labor.
- The US has a huge need for troops, both at all because we're stretched thin, but especially ones with a lower domestic political cost as casualties.
- We're unable to stop the flow of immigrants anyway.
- Right-wing political opposition to illegal immigrants disappears if the people have served the US in the armed forces.
- There is political pressure to be the party to open the doors to Mexicans and get their very important swing votes in gratitude.
The US could create some program where foreigners are invited to serve in the US military for a period in exchange for access to a guest worker or citizenship spot.
It could include English language training for a small cost compared to the benefits.
Problem solved - a huge supply of troops for our 'needs', little domestic political price for the casualties, the public feeling they 'earned' citizenship, and the 'cheap labor force'.
Food for thought. I think it's pretty appalling, but imaginable.
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