Why the Military Budget Must Be Decreased Today

Every nation aspires to present itself as powerful, independent, and capable of defending its citizens from external threats. The military becomes the most visible symbol of this strength, which is why governments spend billions every year on tanks, fighter jets, submarines, and missiles. The logic seems simple: without security, there can be no progress. Yet, an uncomfortable reality underlies this approach: an oversized military budget often comes at the cost of social welfare, education, healthcare, and economic growth. When the lion’s share of a country’s resources is directed toward defense, the progress of ordinary citizens is slowed down, and critical issues such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality continue to persist.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure reached an all-time high of $2.44 trillion in 2023, marking the ninth consecutive year of growth. The United States accounted for almost 40 percent of this figure, followed by China, Russia, India, and Saudi Arabia. India, in particular, increased its defense allocation by more than 10 percent in the 2022–23 Union Budget, raising it to ₹5.25 trillion. This level of spending places India among the world’s top military spenders despite also being home to the world’s largest number of undernourished people. The contradiction is stark.

While understanding the importance of national defense, one must also ask whether such high allocations truly guarantee safety and prosperity. The need for balance between military security and human development has never been greater. And just as societies need strong armies, they also need strong minds. At PlanetSpark, we believe that true progress comes from empowering children to think critically, communicate effectively, and express creatively. Through our Creative Writing Courses, children learn not just to write but to reason, debate, and articulate ideas, skills that are essential for shaping a peaceful and forward-looking future.

Why Military Spending Is Rising Globally

Military spending is not evenly distributed across the globe. The United States remains the largest spender, allocating over $877 billion to defense in 2022, which is more than the combined expenditure of the next 10 countries. China follows with an estimated $292 billion, driven by its aspirations to challenge US dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. Russia, embroiled in prolonged geopolitical conflicts, including the Ukraine war, allocated around $86.4 billion in the same year. Meanwhile, India’s rising allocation reflects concerns about border tensions with China and Pakistan.

This trend shows a global pattern: nations see military expansion not only as a means of protection but also as a signal of geopolitical status. Having advanced aircraft carriers, nuclear deterrents, and cutting-edge cyber capabilities becomes a way to project influence far beyond borders. In some cases, military dominance is directly tied to national pride, as seen in Russia’s emphasis on showcasing weapons during its annual Victory Day parade or the United States’ high-profile defense deals with allies.

However, this competition often sparks a dangerous arms race. For example, when India tests long-range ballistic missiles, Pakistan responds with similar tests, creating a cycle of reaction and counter-reaction. The US-China rivalry is another example, with both countries investing heavily in artificial intelligence for warfare, hypersonic missiles, and space militarization. These investments drain trillions of dollars from global resources while pressing issues like climate change, pandemics, and hunger remain underfunded.

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Why Spend on the Military?

Supporters of high military spending make arguments that, on the surface, appear logical. National security is indeed non-negotiable. Without a strong defense, a nation risks external invasion or interference. The United States, for example, justifies its high spending by highlighting its global role in securing sea lanes, deterring terrorism, and maintaining alliances such as NATO. Similarly, India argues that military readiness is crucial given its proximity to volatile neighbors.

Beyond security, military spending often fuels technological progress. The internet, GPS, and even microwave ovens have roots in defense-funded research. In the United States, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon employ hundreds of thousands of people, creating ripple effects in the economy. In countries like Israel, military R&D has spawned innovations in cybersecurity and drone technology that later benefit civilian industries.

Military expenditure also creates employment directly. According to data from the US Department of Defense, nearly 1.3 million active-duty service members and over 750,000 civilian employees depend on defense budgets. In developing countries, defense factories provide stable jobs, which can be politically advantageous for governments.

For countries that face regular threats of terrorism or border conflict, such as Afghanistan (before 2021), Ukraine, or South Korea, a strong military presence is seen as essential for survival. The question then becomes: if so many benefits exist, why argue for reducing the budget? The answer lies in the hidden costs.

The Hidden Costs of a Growing Military Budget

One of the greatest problems with ballooning military budgets is the concept of opportunity cost. Every dollar spent on defense is a dollar not spent on something else, often something more directly impactful for citizens.

Education and Healthcare Sacrificed

Consider India, where government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP remains just above 2.9 percent, far lower than the global average of 4.5 percent. Healthcare, too, hovers at about 2 percent of GDP. Compare this with over 13 percent allocated to defense in the 2022–23 Union Budget. The imbalance means that while India builds warships and missiles, millions of children still lack access to basic literacy and healthcare services.

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Rising National Debt

The United States provides another cautionary tale. Its $877 billion defense budget contributes significantly to a national debt that now exceeds $34 trillion. When debt grows uncontrollably, governments are forced to borrow more, print money, or cut welfare schemes, each with severe consequences. Defense projects like the F-35 fighter jet program, which has exceeded $1.7 trillion in lifetime costs, exemplify how military spending can spiral beyond initial estimates.

Misallocation of Human Capital

Military industries absorb some of the brightest scientific talent. While defense research has produced civilian benefits, it also diverts intellectual resources from urgent issues such as climate change, green energy, and medical innovation. For instance, while billions are poured into hypersonic missile development, renewable energy technologies continue to struggle for consistent funding.

Risk of Arms Races

The Cold War illustrated how unchecked military budgets create global instability. Both the United States and the Soviet Union accumulated thousands of nuclear weapons, spending trillions over decades. The race drained both economies, with the Soviet Union eventually collapsing under financial strain. Today, a similar pattern is emerging between China and the United States in the Indo-Pacific, and between India and Pakistan in South Asia.

Smarter Alternatives to Excessive Defense Spending

Nations do not need to weaken their defenses to reduce spending; they simply need to be smarter with how they allocate resources.

Better utilization of funds is one example. Azerbaijan, despite having a relatively small economy, has managed to modernize its military effectively without breaking its financial backbone. Through focused procurement and efficient allocation, it achieves goals without excessive overspending.

Investing in domestic production is another strategy. India’s “Make in India” initiative for defense aims to reduce reliance on imports, which currently constitute a large portion of its defense procurement. By producing equipment locally, not only can costs be reduced, but jobs and expertise are created within the nation.

Technology sharing agreements also help. NATO allies, for instance, share intelligence, research, and joint projects, which reduces duplication and lowers costs. Instead of each country developing identical technology independently, shared efforts maximize efficiency.

Finally, peaceful diplomacy remains the most cost-effective approach. Treaties, confidence-building measures, and peace talks often reduce the need for defense escalation. For example, the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978 dramatically reduced their mutual defense burdens by securing peace.

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The Case for Decreasing Military Spending

The case for reducing military budgets rests on three pillars: social development, sustainability, and ethics.

Social development is directly stunted when resources are funneled into weapons rather than welfare. In countries like Nigeria, billions are spent on counterinsurgency while healthcare infrastructure remains broken. Redirecting funds could save millions of lives.

Sustainability is another overlooked factor. Defense industries are some of the largest consumers of fossil fuels. The US Department of Defense is among the world’s top single institutional emitters of greenhouse gases. Reducing defense allocations could simultaneously reduce global carbon footprints while allowing investments in clean energy.

Finally, there is the ethical question. At a time when 735 million people face chronic hunger worldwide (FAO, 2023), is it justifiable for governments to prioritize nuclear submarines worth billions? Reducing military spending and reallocating it toward human development could lift millions out of poverty while still maintaining sufficient defense capability.

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Conclusion: A Balanced Approach

The military is essential, and no argument suggests leaving nations vulnerable. Soldiers deserve resources, respect, and modern equipment to fulfill their duty. But overspending leads to imbalance. Security is not only about military power; it is about healthy, educated, and empowered citizens. By moderating defense budgets during times of peace, nations can redirect valuable resources to build schools, hospitals, renewable energy systems, and digital infrastructure.

The world needs a paradigm shift, one that sees progress not through the size of an army but through the well-being of its people. And just as PlanetSpark empowers children with communication and creative writing skills, nations must empower their citizens through education and opportunity. Real power lies in words, ideas, and innovation, not only in weapons.

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