Many countries that have had conscription (national service) have given up the practice (the UK abolished theirs in 1960, as did Australia in 1972; and France "suspended" theirs in 2001 as did Germany in 2011).
Note that not all involved military service, my German cousin served as a firefighter for several years in lieu of joining the Army.
William F. Buckley wrote an interesting book (more like a long essay) on national service titled 'Gratitude' in which he advocated national service as a prerequisite to receiving government aid (e.g. student loans, college grants, etc.) or other benefits. Thus, it isn't mandatory but somewhat "highly encouraged!"
Buckley offered this idea nearly 25 years ago, and while society has changed during that time (we were able to support two MRCs without needing military conscription, and are in the midst of a drawdown of the services), I still see the benefits of such a program. Perhaps not to the extent that Buckley proposed, but something that would work these days...
Cheers! M2