Discuss Question 24
24. FISCAL KNOWLEDGE: The U.S. spends as much on defense as the next highest 15 nations combined (China, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, India, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Turkey, Israel).
ANSWER: True – According to an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the United States spends more money on defense than these next highest 15 countries combined. However it should be noted that this estimate measures dollars spent on defense, and what a dollar purchases in the U.S. is much different than what a dollar will purchase in another nation. In addition, some believe that certain countries (e.g. China) may be spending more than reported. Regardless, this comparison is meant to show the sheer size of military spending, not military capabilities. It is clear that the U.S. spends a much higher amount of money on defense compared to other countries.
I disagree with this answer specifically because of the issue mention, being China’s defense spending. I believe they are spending a tremendous amount in defense, as well as infrastructure, funded principally by the interest we pay them on the debt of ours they own.
Is this questoin based on a percentage of a nations GDP or actual (converted) dollar amounts? If $1 = $1, and 1 yen = 1 yen, but it takes 100 yen to = $1, then 90 yen could be spent and they would still be below the value of $1, even though the yen spent 90 times more. Put it all on an even footing of one common denominator relative to each nations GDP, but using the same yardstick, so to speak. The question would be more easily undrstood and comprehended then.
Well let’s get something straight that many Americans are not aware of.. We have an all volunteer military that came to being in the ’80s… Majority of those countries have their citizens do a mandatory service after schooling… Besides technology costs money, and with the free market, there really isn’t checks and balances on those highly inflated $200 hammers…