We Get What We Pay For: The Cycle of Military Spending, Industry Power, and Economic Dependence
Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs(Brown University)
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We Get What We Pay For: The Cycle of Military Spending, Industry Power, and Economic Dependence
Military spending makes up a dominant share of discretionary spending in the United States; military personnel make up the majority of U.S. government manpower; and military industry is a leading force in the U.S. economy. As a result, other elements and capacities of the U.S. government and civilian economy have been weakened, and military industries have gained political power. Decades of high levels of military spending have changed U.S. government and society – strengthening its ability to fight wars, while weakening its capacities to perform other core functions.
