In: Economics
To what extent should society's resources be used to produce new weapons for war?
In a scenario of war, maximum of the resources of society is committed to prepare the army for war. It happens to save the sovereignty of the country or state. But in a scenario of peace and prosperity, the less amount of resources are committed and spending on new weapons decrease. At present, the USA commits 3.2% of the total GDP on military expenditure, whereas Saudi Arabia spends over 8% of its GDP. So, it is the budget and allocation of funds that should be below 10% that should be spent on new weapons.
During war time, spending on weapons
increases, as it also creates opportunities in the defence sector
and unemployment rate comes down. Further, from the strategic and
international market point of view, spending on new weapons takes
place to increase export. In this scenario, building new weapons is
good for the economy as other nations are buying it and more
resources can be committed.