Constructive gadfly
Published on December 1, 2003 By stevendedalus In Politics

 “Yankee Go Home” doesn’t apply to South Korea where only a half year ago its citizens demonstrated against our 37,000 troops stationed there — what with the north’s incessant provocation. After fifty years the south is nevertheless more than a match against its neighbor despite its larger army but poorly equipped. Even though South Korea spends ten times what the north does in armament — $320 per capita, or 3.4 percent of its GNP — it could fortify itself independent of the US, except for a nuclear threat, if its expenditure were modestly increased per capita.

North Korea, on the other hand, spends $255 per capita on military protection, or 28.6 percent of its meager gross national product (GNP). As long as the U.S. values it as a strategic base South Korea will never make an effort to defend itself.Likewise Europe has chosen to spend less on military power and as a consequence tries to worm out of difficult world problems by peaceful means or rely on U.S. military strength.

On the other hand, when delving into comparative military expense, the major nations in Europe do indeed carry their share and if ever truly united could be militarily competitive. For instance, the U.S. spends $1,056 per capita on military protection [more now I trust] or 3.8 percent of its gross national product (GNP). France, hardly an appeaser, spends a remarkable $826 per capita, or 3.1 percent of its GNP but more than Britain which is $572 per capita on military protection, or 3 percent of its gross national product (GNP).

In total dollars France spends $14 billion more than Britain, and $29 billion; less than Russia which spends 11.5% of its GNP. Germany because of U.S. presence is only 1.9 percent of GNP and $496 per capita; still its total expenditure is some $41 billion compared to Spain’s $8½ billion.

Nonetheless, if one considers the NATO members all together — including Canada and Turkey — the total expenditure of over 200 billion is virtually on a par with the U.S. From this vantage point, we can hardly think of Europe as slackers. If Russia should join, NATO’s total expenditures [excluding the U.S.] will exceed our total military expenditures by approximately $50 billion.

Given that France at times is petulant as for example when De Gaulle withdrew its military from NATO because US was so dominant, it found its way back and contributed to peace-keeping in Bosnia and Kosovo. Of course, it was a strong participatory ally in the first Gulf War, and has troops in Afghanistan. Consensus — along with never forgetting their rapid surrender in WWII — confuses national pride and independence with appeasement. The French do have a point in believing that in a new millennium, perhaps there is an alternative to war.

If the US continues to flaunt its “only super power” status, it will surely lead to a united Europe with a formidable military — particularly with Russia — second to none. The United States must end its can-do-no-wrong posture and heed other nations with competing views or another arms race might ensue.
 
Comments (Page 2)
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on Dec 03, 2003
Ah GemCityJoe,
you're getting a bit excited. No-one is talking about 'taking' anything from the Americans. We're discussing America spending billions of dollars abroard 'defending' other countries and whether they should be doing this or allow/force those countries to defend themselves. If the Russians, North Koreans, Chinese or Europeans go over to the US and try to take anything from you I'd expect you to protect your freedom. How about when the US goes over to Europe and tells them NOT to form their own EU defense force? This is the case and what we're discussing. The US is fearful that if EU countries havbe their own force they will reduce support for Nato, and some EU countries are upset that the US should have the audacity to tell them what they can and cannot do about their own defense (look at how you responded at the mere thought of someone taking something from the US - they feel the same way about their freedom to choose),

Paul
on Dec 03, 2003
"some EU countries are upset that the US should have the audacity to tell them what they can and cannot do"

What an ironic comment. Switch "some EU countries" with "US" and the sentence is equally apt from an American point of view.

on Dec 03, 2003
It's the dawn of the "American Empire", remnants of past empires are kicking and screaming in defiance of the enevitable, soon they will grow weary and sucumb or become isolated, if not destroyed...........
on Dec 03, 2003
The European nay-sayers have made a point of downplaying every military threat for the last 20 years, so you'll forgive me if I take a "EU Defense Force" as something other than an exercises in self-defense.

International relations are all about telling other nations what they can and can't do. The EU and others just told the US they can't impose duties on imported steel, which could lead to further hardship for the US steel industry. This has a direct influence on the next election, because if Bush caves to the pressure the union workers here will suffer, and will be less apt to support the Bush administration. Don't pretend that the big, bad US is stomping around imposing its will unchallenged. The EU was basically FORMED for that purpose.

I wish people would accept the reality that all nations act offensively to further their interests. I hate this warped idea that it is the US out to seize control of a peacefully grazing world.
on Dec 03, 2003
Come on everyone -- let's sing the EU anthem! All together now!

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe theres no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
Theres a choice we're making
We're saving out own lives
its true we'll make a better day
Just you and me
on Dec 03, 2003
My biggest problem with the EU, as a whole, is that it seems like a thinly veiled way for Germany and France to do by treaty what Hitler and Napolean failed to do by force.

on Dec 06, 2003
Aye, economic determinism always seems to underly foreign policy. The Phillipines kicked us out, though it was considered a strategic base, yet they have invited us back to help fight terrorism there. How do you figure this crazy world?
on Dec 06, 2003
The "sneer" quote is simply an echo of so many talking heads that use the precise term--and flantingly.
on Dec 06, 2003
One small step for humanity and world citizenship.
on Dec 06, 2003
Touché, my figures are from 2000.
on Dec 08, 2003
Draginol,
don't worry about the Eu turning into a French-German new world order. Not going to happen. Not even the English are worried about it and they are far more Euro-phobic than most Americans. It's somethings that Americans seem to have problems with. The EU is all about accepting and encouraging our deversity. It's about recognising that there are more than two sides to every arguement and finding compromises. All countries in the EU have veto powers on the serious decisions.

Bakerstreet,
International relations are all about consequences. The US can of course tell other countriesd what to do, but it must be prepared for the consequences. Whether this is increased anti US hatred leading to terrorism (due to US middle east policy), trade wars due to perceived US trade protectionism, or disbanding of Nato due to EU apathy at being told what it cannot do, the US must accept the consequences of its actions. Likewise the EU or any nation which seeks to make it's will felt. Any country which feels that another country is interfering in it's affairs will get upset and respond.

Paul.


on Dec 21, 2003
The US is a fat bloated mob as was Rome right before it started crumbling. If we the people do not stand up to the government which is our civic duty as americans than we will just watch it crumble as did Rome. Only with technology it will crumble much faster. Being the prophet that I am, within the next nine years a civil war will erupt within our country and a Mcaratheism like you could never imagine will take place killing all who use their 1st amendment rights freely.
on Jan 10, 2004
Aye, Occult, it seems rather arrogant on our part to throw our weight around when half our trillions of debt is beholden to other countries. What if they called in the bonds, then what?
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