US Military Spending

Description:

After declining in the post-cold war era of the early 1990s, global military spending is on the rise again – threatening to break the one trillion dollar barrier this year, according to a group of UN-appointed military experts. The 16-member group estimates that military spending will rise to nearly $950 billion by the end of 2004, up from $900 billion in 2003. By contrast, rich nations spend $50-60 billion on development aid each year.

Enablers:

- Conflict in Afghanistan - War in Iraq Concern with global terrorism after the attacks on New York and Washington

Inhibitors:

- Acceptance of other countries. - Deals between the countries to limit the military spending

Paradigms:

The main reason for the increase in world military spending is the massive increase in the United States, which accounts for almost half of the world total.... In the absence of [appropriations for the new war on terror, and on Iraq], US military expenditure would still show a significant increase, but at a much slower rate, and world military spending would show a rise of 4 per cent rather than 11 per cent in 2003. But it is not just the U.S. military spending. In fact, western militarism often overlaps with civilian functions affecting attitudes to militarism in general. As a result, when revelations come out that some Western militaries may have trained dictators and human rights violators, the justification given may be surprising.

Experts:

Jan Oberg US Department of Justice United Nations

Timing:

Military spending will only be reduced when a president of the United States comes with peaceful talks. When terrorism is almost negligible and the countries feel secure. I do not see military spending decreasing in the next 5 years. Maybe by 2010 military spending will decrease.