The Economics of War

Posted by Paula Kirman Feb 19, 2007

Look at the Great Depression in the 1930's. People were literally starving in the street. The stock market had crashed. There was no money for a social net to help these people. But as soon as World War II started -- what do you know? -- suddenly the funds became available to get the artillery rolling and the troops involved. Now, I am not knocking Allied involvement in World War II. Even the most hardcore peace activists agree that WWII was the one justifiable war, because of the clear and present evil that Hitler presented. However, I am just trying to demonstrate the point that there always seems to be money for war. I am sure social programs were needed when Vietnam was going on, and they are certainly needed today as the Bush administration blows billions on Iraq.