Replies

Thanks for posting those interesting graphs.

You are most welcome.

I think we differ very little on the main thrust of this data, but I suppose our differences merit a bit more discussion.

The only statement of yours with which I disagree is that there is some sort of provable, direct correlation between statewide educational levels and military recruitment. The DoD study (at least the portions I cited in post #178) specifically rejects this notion--"no one factor can explain variations in enlistment rates between different sections of the country; they are more likely attributable to a wide array of economic, social, and demographic factors." If you draw a different conclusion from the information I posted, it would appear to be based on assumptions made at variance with the DoD study.

Now, I agree with you that there might be some possible correlation lurking out there involving educational levels and military recruitment, but this study does not seem to provide evidence for that proposition. Furthermore, as a matter of speculation, I doubt whether this variable's influence on recruitment can be separated easily from other factors which weigh on the decision to enlist.

Lastly, I should point out this statement of yours:

Southerners have always been a disproportionate percent of the armed forces. Its culture was strongly pro-military even around the time of the Slavers' Revolt.

Now, I must admit, this I don't understand. "Culture" explains historical levels of Southern over-representation in the military, but present-day levels are clearly attributable to disparities in statewide education availability?

There is no contradiction, the South has always been less educated so that factor leds to more enlistment, its culture was militaristic so that led to more enlistment and it has been poorer so that leds to more enlistment.

Undoubtedly there are problems of auto-correlation between independent variables which would have to be resolved in any regression analysis. If you read the entire study do you recall if regression analysis was mentioned? If not then it was not done I presume.