A Common Good-Based Justification for Non-Compliance with the Political Obligation of Homeland Defence.

This article examines the political obligation of compulsory military service (conscription) for homeland defence through the lens of the common good (CG), as understood in various political and philosophical traditions. It argues that beyond traditional conscientious objection, the CG concept can justify both the duty to defend the homeland and legitimate exceptions to this obligation. Two main groups of exceptions are identified: liberal exceptions, which include failures of the state to ensure equal respect, justice, or the protection of liberty; and membership-based exceptions, which arise when societal consensus on the common good is lacking, civic virtues are not fostered, or defence disproportionately benefits certain groups or neglects future generations. The article thus broadens the theoretical framework for non-compliance with conscription in liberal democracies by integrating diverse interpretations of the CG.