Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Building a peace-industrial complex

By Keith Suter - posted Wednesday, 5 June 2019


Therefore it is necessary to mobilize businesses for peaceful interests.

As to the fears that many people have for their defence-related jobs, they just want employment. Therefore, the proposed Peace-Industrial Complex would need to campaign to ensure that as defence jobs declined, there was a compensatory rise in the non-defence employment sector (health, education, welfare and public transport are all very labour intensive)

A campaign for a Peace-Industrial Complex will require some new ways of thinking, such as new coalition thinking. It will require peace groups to be in a dialogue with business interests and business councils such as institutes of company directors.

Advertisement

If we redefine "national security" from just a focus on military matters to also include economic and social indicators, then a Peace-Industrial Complex would also attract support from welfare and anti-poverty groups.

The growing popular action on climate change has already generated some new coalitions (such as the insurance industry being aware of the economic impact of climate change). We could finance environmental programmes via the conversion of military expenditure to environmental protection.

Finally, the economics profession could be brought into the debate by being challenged to think about how US$1.7Trillion is being so badly spent each year: what does such a high level of military expenditure do to distort the rest of the economy?

To conclude, the campaign for a Peace-Industrial Complex will require our creating a holistic vision of future society to inspire a wide variety of organizations, companies and individuals to work together.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

7 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr Keith Suter is a futurist, thought leader and media personality in the areas of social policy and foreign affairs. He is a prolific and well-respected writer and social commentator appearing on radio and television most weeks.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Keith Suter

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Keith Suter
Article Tools
Comment 7 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy