For a year after high school, enrollees work under the supervision of the federal government that often reflects political priorities. Last year, business boomed, with thousands turned away after 20,000 slots were filled. The program's supporters defend it as a means of letting young people serve their country, just as previous generations have served in the armed forces. Detractors claim the program will lead to coerced national service and should be eliminated. One view of voluntarism is that it is uncompensated labor.
People volunteer at a soup kitchen or in local service clubs.
Well, by that definition, Americorps is not voluntary. Many Americorps workers signed on out of good will. But this does not set them apart from other workers. Most entrepreneurs love their work. They also desire the happiness of others.