because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of
armies; from these proceed debts and taxes...known instruments for bringing the
many under the domination of the few. ... No nation could preserve its freedom in
the midst of continual warfare." — James Madison, Political Observations, 1795
Global military expenditure and arms trade form the largest spending in the world
at over $950 billion in annual expenditure, as noted by the prestigous Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SPIRI), for 2003.
Furthermore:
World military spending in 2003 increased by about 11 per cent in real terms. This
is a remarkable rate of increase, even more so given that it was preceded by an
increase of 6.5 per cent in 2002.
Over two years world military spending increased by 18 per cent in real terms,
to reach $956 billion (in current dollars) in 2003.
High-income countries account for about 75 per cent of world military
spending but only 16 per cent of world population.
The combined military spending of these countries was slightly higher than
the aggregate foreign debt of all low-income countries and 10 times higher
than their combined levels of official development assistance in 2001.
... There is a large gap between what countries are prepared to allocate for
military means to provide security and maintain their global and regional
power status, on the one hand, and to alleviate poverty and promote
economic development, on the other.
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.
... While US military expenditure is set to continue to grow and will continue to
propel world military spending, the pace is likely to fall back somewhat in the next
few years. In the longer term it is doubtful whether current levels will be
economically and politically sustainable.
