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The Problem of Militarism
The figures used in this web site are taken from the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute, widely considered
the foremost independent authority on world military expenditure.
Besides the financial wastefulness of militarism, overall it
exacts a huge toll on human life and the environment, while creating
a climate of fear and mistrust and undermining global security.
The US and UK are in many ways part of the problem, being the
highest and second-highest military spenders in the world.
Over time, the world could reduce the amount spent on war each
year and tackle the real contributors to future insecurity. These
are likely to be growing poverty and marginalisation of the poorest,
climate change leading to mass migrations; and militarism itself.
With the amount spent on war each year, the world could:
- Meet the Kyoto international targets on climate change ($118
billion per year over the next 50 years)
- Meet the Millennium Development Goals for poverty alleviation
and development ($20-40 billion extra per year to 2015)
- Phase in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology
for all (c. $60 billion per year over the next 10-20 years)
- Build a more effective system for global governance based
on a reformed, better-resourced United Nations Organisation
- Invest in international confidence-building, progressive disarmament and scaling down military spending
Let’s be part of the solution!
Try some of these web sites to find out how:
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