The Romans had the fierce phalanx, the Huns excelled in use of horse cavalry and the Mongols carved an empire out of butchery and blood over most of Asia.
These societies left behind a great legacy of cultural and societal impacts, but all eventually succumbed to the negative consequences of militarism: high taxes that supported military expansion, conscription that killed the males from entire villages and the famine and destruction that inevitability accompany war, even away from the front. These societies built upon many others to create the efficient modern military machines used by heads of state today.
Human history has provided an excellent framework for military efficiency, but severely lack in the area of humanitarian aid. There are college courses along with extensive academies within the armed forces devoted to military science because conducting war is a science, as difficult as that may be to believe. Battlefield commanders orchestrate a multitude of forces under harsh conditions against a determined enemy, all the while having to understand the capabilities of every weapon at their disposal.
But, as far as I know, there is not a network of organizations devoted to humanitarianism science. Most universities have departments devoted to social services, community development and mental health, but once these graduates enter their respective fields they enter a loosely bound system that lacks the effectiveness it should have. This isn't because of the lack of devotion of the individuals involved, but due to the difficulties of the task involved. It can take months or years to cure a person of a drug habit, mental sickness or the blight of poverty and a network of diligence to prevent the various debilitating conditions from returning.
In 2006 the military defense budget was $410 billion. In 2007 the budget was raised to $439 billion.-á This is nearly 14 times the military budget of China, the next highest military spender in the world.
In contrast, the proposed budget for funding schools in low-income communities is nearly $13 billion, with a total education budget of $54.4 billion. Health and human services budget, 67.6 billion; housing and human development budget, $33.6 billion; Environmental Protection Agency, $7.3 billion; National Science Foundation, $6.0 billion. These budgets and others that create the body of social and cultural development for a healthy society are a mere percentage of our military budget.
We are part of one of the most powerful countries in the world, in economic, military and cultural influence. But we should take a lesson from past cultures devoted to militarism and turn the majority of our energies to the development of humanitarian and peace fulfilling projects. Our Caucasian-dominated government continues to alienate and anger the minority communities, the middle and lower economic classes and many members of the global communities - all at the expense of these mentioned groups and to the benefit of the very small minority of the very rich. According to a recent study by University of Western Ontario economist James Davies conducted by the Helsinki based World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations, two percent of the population own over half the global wealth, most in the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific while half the world's population owns one percent of the wealth
The middle class are becoming daunted by their economic stability. The creation of multitudes of jobs that pay poorly at the expense of jobs that can actually support families will not create a content society. The families living in poverty without adequate housing and proper nutrition will not create a content society. The young missing opportunities and benefits of primary and secondary education will not lead to a content society. The militarism of governments will not lead to a content society. A devotion to humanity and genuine growth not based on monetary gains, material gains and dominance of the many by the few will usher in a true age of prosperity.-á
Write to Jason atjlhodson@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
