Punishment 5.1.

1. In some countries, every citizen is obligated to serve in the military for a minimum period of time despite the fact that such service is often dangerous, requires delaying certain life choices, and wouldn’t be voluntarily chosen by many. Does this government-mandated military service count as a form of punishment?

Yes. It knowingly imposes involuntary risks and burdens on citizens, so it counts as punishment.

No. The risks and burdens involved aren’t harmful enough to count as punishment.

No. The burdens aren’t being imposed with the specific aim of giving people their just deserts for wrongs they’ve committed, so they don’t count as punishment.

Correct! Wrong!