What should be done with military spending? [DEBATE/POLL]

[Vivolkha]

Russia-Ukraine. Israel-Gaza. Armenia-Azerbaijan. Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan. Iran-Afghanistan.

Recent years have seen an explosion of inter-state conflicts. In many countries this has triggered a rise on military spending, be it to defend themselves against potentially hostile neighbors or to sustain their own war efforts. In Europe, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to large increases to defense budgets, with some formerly pacifist countries like Germany now pledging to hit the 2% of GDP NATO target.

But is this really necessary? Are we spending too much on defense? Or should we, on the contrary, increase our military budgets to deal with this new international situation? Tell us your opinion here - and don't forget to vote in the poll!

[Pantso]

Having a large army brings the temptation to use it, and privatizing the means of making war creates the need to make war for the sake of profit.

[Jabberwocky]

I vote for turning munitions into surfboards!

[Pantso]

Oct 17, 2023 20:24:59 GMT -5 Jabberwocky said:

I vote for turning munitions into surfboards!

Swords into Surfboards?

[Vivolkha]

Oct 17, 2023 20:24:59 GMT -5 Jabberwocky said:

I vote for turning munitions into surfboards!

I should've added that to the poll!

[Tuga Nation's Dragon]

Portugal shouldn't have an army... Who in the hell would want to attack or invade us? No one! So any cent spent on military is a cent too much! And that I can think about a lot of ways to spend it better...

[Vivolkha]

Oct 18, 2023 22:07:32 GMT -5 Tuga Nation's Dragon said:

Portugal shouldn't have an army... Who in the hell would want to attack or invade us? No one! So any cent spent on military is a cent too much! And that I can think about a lot of ways to spend it better...

What about NATO contributions to Europe's collective security? What about military contributions to R+D and innovation?

[Tuga Nation's Dragon]

Oct 19, 2023 2:31:17 GMT -5 Vivolkha said:

Oct 18, 2023 22:07:32 GMT -5 Tuga Nation's Dragon said:

Portugal shouldn't have an army... Who in the hell would want to attack or invade us? No one! So any cent spent on military is a cent too much! And I can think about a lot of ways to spend it better...

What about NATO contributions to Europe's collective security? What about military contributions to R+D and innovation?

do we contribute that much? I don't think so... NATO takes Portugal into consideration because we have a large marine economic zone... Our entire army is in shambles, outdated and many equipments are out of service due to lack of maintenance...

[Vivolkha]

Oct 19, 2023 3:17:28 GMT -5 Tuga Nation's Dragon said:

Our entire army is in shambles, outdated and many equipments are out of service due to lack of maintenance...

Wouldn't that be a reason for more spending?

[Jabberwocky]

I've changed my mind. All military funding should be forwarded to my office.

[Tuga Nation's Dragon]

Oct 19, 2023 13:04:06 GMT -5 Vivolkha said:

Oct 19, 2023 3:17:28 GMT -5 Tuga Nation's Dragon said:

Our entire army is in shambles, outdated and many equipments are out of service due to lack of maintenance...

Wouldn't that be a reason for more spending?

the problem is, money that should be used for repairs and renovation, is diverted by those who have the power to do so... To buy fine wine, cellphones, etc... And, we are a tiny nation, but we have more generals than the US! How is this possible??

[Vivolkha]

Nov 10, 2023 12:55:37 GMT -5 Tuga Nation's Dragon said:

Oct 19, 2023 13:04:06 GMT -5 Vivolkha said:

Wouldn't that be a reason for more spending?

the problem is, money that should be used for repairs and renovation, is diverted by those who have the power to do so... To buy fine wine, cellphones, etc... And, we are a tiny nation, but we have more generals than the US! How is this possible??

To me this reveals a military in desperate need of reform. Something is wrong with the command structure. Portugal doesn't need that many generals! And further safeguards against corruption. As your neighbors next door, we totally understand that last one.

[Venvee Republic]

Well I'm trying to be a historian, so my answer will be a bit long. I'm a master of modern Geopolitics, so here goes:

The USA needs to spend its money better. The Zumwalt class destroyers are a complete joke, and they are the only world power without hypersonic missiles. Although spending 30% of the US Budget seems excessive, especially 'cause it could be put to better things like healthcare, helping out the less fortunate, etc., your forgetting that most Europeans are pacifist as Tuga Nation's Dragon has proven. That's a big problem. Although a nation like Portugal may be a pointless target for any other nearby country with the exception of Spain (Which, lets face it, doesn't need another strong nationality), Portugal is part of the EU. And the EU is almost certainly destined to be dragged into a war with the following: Russia especially, China (PRC), Iran, or North Korea. They are the 4 evil nations of the world. Russia has been trying to put Russia as the #1 power. Or as Commusisims #1 fan put it, Vladimir Putin, "Russia belongs at the heart of Europe" I believe. Of course the USA could reduce it's spending habits should the European nations increase theirs, but it's unlikely. Most of Europe does not want to be at war. Which is understandable, they were the battlefields of the previous world wars. In 2019 the British Government announced that it only has enough ammunition to defend the home island for a few days, Turkiye seems to be an unreliable nation as it only thinks for Turkiye, the French are timid on seeing a German rearmament, which they shouldn't, because the German Army is terrible. Most of the German war machines are broken down and need repairs, which is going stupidly slow for a historically great industrial power. In 2019, only 2 or so fightes could actually fly. The only good nation seems to be Poland, which has a bigger and better army than Germany. Poland, the historical German punching bag, has a better army than Germany. Although it is great to have the money traditionally in the military budget toward other pursuits, it will put that nation on the back foot. Russia wants to relive the glory days, China wants upset the balance of world power and build a great, big, Sino led empire, Iran is set on helping out the aforementioned nations, and North Korea wants to annex South Korea and watch the White House go up in a fireball on TV. It is without a doubt that should any of these nations take any EU / NATO territory, the people who live there will be lucky to see the next century. The Chinese are trying to remove the Uygers in litteral slave camps, Christians are lucky to be alive in Iran because they are often either European or American which and they see as great enemies and are killed by the local inhabitants, Russia hates the EU an the USA from past experiences, and North Korea is... well, you know. Although a lot of people like to live in a world where we don't have to fund a military, we unfortunately can't if future widespread suffering will result of it. This generation and the next will have to make sacrifices so the future generations have a shot at a good life. End of speech.

ANYWAYS, I'm going to get some better cruisers for the VRNF, and maybe some aircraft carriers.

[worlddefenseorg]

My irl country needs to cut military spending and put it on healthcare reforms