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:
Timing:
1941 US Enters WWII
1945 End of WWII
1945-1991 Cold War
2001 September 11 attacks
2003-present Iraq War