Desertion can be a real problem (though not of the sort that Chuck0 has us imagine), for which there is no easy solution. Real problems of desertion may occur in the following manners:
* The capitalist government of the nation X collapses, socialists come into power but face a stiff opposition from reactionaries aided by foreign capitalist powers, so a civil war ensues. The new socialist government of the nation X cannot muster enough competent volunteers, so it resorts to conscription. Not all conscripts -- regardless of their feelings about the new socialist government in particular or socialism in general -- are willing to make sacrifices of their lives and families, so an increasing number of them desert. What should the new socialist government do?
* The capitalist government of the nation X collapses, and socialists come into power. Those who have relatively scarce technical skills -- regardless of their feelings about socialism in general or the new socialist government in particular -- face a material temptation: their lot (if their own individual financial fortunes alone are to be taken into account) may vastly improve if they emigrate to capitalist powers richer than the nation X (especially as the nation X's economy is still in turmoil). In addition to the aforementioned material temptation, the propaganda machine (psy-ops, multinational media, religious authorities, etc.) tells them that their lives are in danger under socialism (the propaganda machine can make use of many historical examples of severe repression of civil liberties under formerly existing socialist governments, whether or not the new socialist government of the nation X has anything to do with them). An increasing number of intellectuals, technical workers, etc. begin to emigrate. What should the new socialist government do? -- Yoshie
* Bring Them Home Now! <http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/> * Calendars of Events in Columbus: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/calendar.html>, <http://www.freepress.org/calendar.php>, & <http://www.cpanews.org/> * Student International Forum: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/> * Committee for Justice in Palestine: <http://www.osudivest.org/> * Al-Awda-Ohio: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Al-Awda-Ohio> * Solidarity: <http://www.solidarity-us.org/>