Almost 23 years ago, I wrote a short pamphlet, Defense Power Games. My aim then (as it is now) was to explain why the end of the Cold War would not produce a peace dividend in the form of reduced defense budgets that were substantially lower that those averaged during America's Cold War with the Soviet Union.
Take a quick scan of Defense Power Games … now watch this 25 minute video — America's War Games — (also on youtube here) just released by Aljazeera for its People and Power segment. The video explains why the end of the War on Terror will not, like the end of the Cold War did not, result in a peace dividend
Santayana wrote that those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it. After watching “America's War Games,” ask yourself two simple questions:
- “What has changed since the Defense Power Games pamphlet was published in 1990?”
- “Will the end of the War on Terror produce a dividend?”
I submit the answers are self-evident: (1) “Nothing” and (2) “No”
But one thing that has changed: Our economy is in far greater trouble today than it was in 1990, although the seeds for the current disaster were being merrily planted during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, as well as in the 1990s, not to mention the first decade of the 21st Century. And this time around, it ought to be clear that continuing to assign grossly excessive amounts of scarce resources (capital and skilled labour) to defense spending will make America's current economic problems worse.
So, how can we reduce the defense budget to free up the funds needed by both the private and public sectors to reinvigorate our economy?
Clearly, President Obama's most recent budget provides no answer — He has placed defense off limits. Moreover, the President and Congress are clearly maneuvering to neuter the effects of the budget sequester on the Pentagon's weapons boondoggles by focusing on furloughing people, cutting back on training, reducing spare parts purchases, etc.
Over the years (since the 1970s), my colleagues and I have written extensive diagnoses of the Pentagon's institutional problems together with many recommendations about how to correct the Pentagon's dysfunctional behaviour. Over time, our central conclusion has remained the same: It is not only possible to reduce the defense budget, but budget reductions are a necessary step in reforming the pentagon's wasteful management practices to produce a more effective military (should it be truly necessary to use it, which is usually not the case).
Perhaps the best and most accessible summary of our views of the problems afflicting the Military – Industrial – Congressional Complex and our recommendations for correcting them can be found in The Pentagon Labyrinth: 10 Short Essays to Help You Through It , a free ebook we jointly wrote in 2011.
Chuck Spinney
Marina di Ragusa, Sicily
Phi Beta Iota: America has never lacked for innovators and pioneers. Since the end of WWII, however, corruption has become so ingrained across every element of society that good ideas that benefit the many are systematically repressed so that the few may continue to benefit from truly outrageous – treasonous — corruption. That is what needs to change. America the Beautiful still exists and is still strong — all that is lacking is an honest government….flushing the two-party tyranny down the toilet is Step One.
See Also:
How I Tested the Boundaries of the Two-Party Tyranny
Worth a Look: Book Reviews on Corruption 2.0
Worth a Look: Book Reviews on Democracy Lost & Found
