Volconvo Debate Forums - View Single Post - Do Third World Nations Encourage Exploitation?

castille · Nov 17, 2003, 07:28 am

Actually, the United States spends a tiny fraction of its GDP on defence.

The problem with using absolute figures (ie. $100) for military spending is that nations like Micronesia or Haiti don't need as much defence spending as the US (in fact I believe China's armed forces are equal to the size of dozens of small nations).

The argument that "big bad amerika spends more money than everyone else in guns" is flawed - because America has the world's highest GDP.

The US only spends 3.2% of its GDP on military.

Compare this with North Korea who spends 33.90% of their GDP on defence, Ethiopia who spends 12.60% of their GDP on defence, Syria who spends 5.9% of their GDP, Kuwait who spends 5.5% of their GDP, and Yemen who spends 5.2% of their GDP.

Third World nations are in fact spending a greater proportion of their overall wealth on defence. America can AFFORD big guns; the Third World needs to focus on its people instead of buying guns or terrorist training huts.

Nov 17, 2003, 07:28 am	#9 (permalink) (top)
castille Citizen #21521 Posts: 2,599	Actually, the United States spends a tiny fraction of its GDP on defence. The problem with using absolute figures (ie. $100) for military spending is that nations like Micronesia or Haiti don't need as much defence spending as the US (in fact I believe China's armed forces are equal to the size of dozens of small nations). The argument that "big bad amerika spends more money than everyone else in guns" is flawed - because America has the world's highest GDP. The US only spends 3.2% of its GDP on military. Compare this with North Korea who spends 33.90% of their GDP on defence, Ethiopia who spends 12.60% of their GDP on defence, Syria who spends 5.9% of their GDP, Kuwait who spends 5.5% of their GDP, and Yemen who spends 5.2% of their GDP. Third World nations are in fact spending a greater proportion of their overall wealth on defence. America can AFFORD big guns; the Third World needs to focus on its people instead of buying guns or terrorist training huts. Ideological loyalty is the act of giving your soul to a vague concept, to be manipulated by people smarter than you.