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Why does the united states spend so much on military?

Why Does the United States Spend So Much on Military?

The United States is one of the largest spenders on military defense in the world, accounting for approximately 36% of the world’s total military expenditure. In 2020, the United States spent a staggering $721 billion on its military, which is more than the next seven largest spenders combined (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2021). This raises the question: why does the United States spend so much on its military?

History of Military Spending

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The United States has a long history of significant military spending, dating back to the early 20th century. During World War I, the United States spent $20 billion on its military, which was a significant portion of the country’s GDP at the time (Federal Reserve Economic Data, 2021). After World War II, the United States emerged as a global superpower and continued to invest heavily in its military, establishing a strong defense infrastructure and a large standing army.

Cold War Era

The Cold War era, which lasted from the late 1940s to the late 1980s, was a period of intense military competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. During this time, the United States spent $1.3 trillion on its military, which was a significant portion of the country’s GDP (Federal Reserve Economic Data, 2021). The United States invested heavily in its nuclear arsenal, missile defense systems, and a large standing army, in an effort to counter the Soviet Union’s military might.

Post-Cold War Era

In the post-Cold War era, the United States continued to spend heavily on its military, albeit at a slightly reduced level. During the 1990s, the United States spent $1.2 trillion on its military, which was still a significant portion of the country’s GDP (Federal Reserve Economic Data, 2021). The United States invested in new technologies, such as precision-guided munitions and stealth technology, and continued to maintain a large standing army.

War on Terror

The War on Terror, which began in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001, has been a significant driver of military spending in the United States. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the ongoing campaign against terrorist organizations such as ISIS, have required significant investments in military personnel, equipment, and infrastructure.

Current Military Spending

In 2020, the United States spent $721 billion on its military, which is more than the next seven largest spenders combined (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2021). The United States spends more on its military than the next five largest spenders combined, which are China, India, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2021).

Why Does the United States Spend So Much on Military?

So, why does the United States spend so much on its military? There are several reasons:

  • National Security: The United States spends a significant portion of its budget on military defense because it believes that a strong military is essential for national security. The United States has a long history of involvement in international conflicts and has a significant presence around the world, which requires a large and well-equipped military.
  • Deterrence: The United States spends a significant portion of its budget on military defense because it believes that a strong military is necessary to deter potential adversaries from attacking the country. The United States has a significant nuclear arsenal and a large standing army, which are designed to deter potential attackers.
  • Global Leadership: The United States spends a significant portion of its budget on military defense because it believes that it has a responsibility to lead the world and maintain global stability. The United States has a significant presence around the world and is involved in a number of international conflicts, which requires a large and well-equipped military.
  • Economic Interests: The United States spends a significant portion of its budget on military defense because it believes that a strong military is necessary to protect its economic interests. The United States is a major trading nation and has significant economic interests around the world, which requires a strong military to protect those interests.

Comparison to Other Countries

The United States spends a significant portion of its budget on military defense compared to other countries. Here is a comparison of military spending as a percentage of GDP for the United States and other major countries:

CountryMilitary Spending as a Percentage of GDP
United States3.4%
China1.9%
India2.2%
Japan1.1%
Germany1.2%
United Kingdom2.1%

Conclusion

The United States spends a significant portion of its budget on military defense because it believes that a strong military is essential for national security, deterrence, global leadership, and economic interests. The United States has a long history of involvement in international conflicts and has a significant presence around the world, which requires a large and well-equipped military. While other countries may spend less on their military, the United States believes that its military is necessary to protect its interests and maintain global stability.

Table: Military Spending by Country

CountryMilitary Spending (2020)Military Spending as a Percentage of GDP (2020)
United States$721 billion3.4%
China$261 billion1.9%
India$67 billion2.2%
Japan$50 billion1.1%
Germany$49 billion1.2%
United Kingdom$47 billion2.1%

References

Federal Reserve Economic Data. (2021). Military Spending. Retrieved from https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MILIT

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. (2021). Military Expenditure. Retrieved from https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex

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