https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nZD3IdL4PY

Podcast audio:

In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Tristan de Liège discuss the military draft in light of recent changes to the Selective Service System.

Debating Selective Service System changes

Unconstitutionality of the draft

The immorality of the draft

The impracticality of the draft

Palantir’s endorsement of the draft

Resources: 

Against The Un-American Call for National Service, ARI Podcast

A Central Planner's Trojan Horse: The Technological Republic, ARI Podcast

Ayn Rand, entry on the Draft, Ayn Rand Lexicon 

Ayn Rand, “Wreckage of the Consensus” in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal

This episode was recorded on April 22, 2026.

Image credit: Andrew Harnik / staff / via Getty Images