WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN?

As a miasmic environment threatens to envelop, and ultimately, suffocate the world, bullets and bandages have never been more in demand. A myriad of mirages has shrouded our eyes, making us blind to the obvious; the vicissitudes in the economy have been sharp, and deep, and war, or at the very least the threat of one, has been a primary reason.

Spending extravagant amounts of money has been an onerous but consistent part of every civilization. The Roman Empire was renowned for its military expenditure, shunning focus on various other pressing concerns to press forward on their military expansion. In fact, Rome’s military wages accounted for more than half of its revenue. While civilization has come a long way from there, there remains a gnawing concern through the UN corridors that countries are hiding their true capabilities. Skewed numbers have resulted in lopsided statistics, as countries continue to work in secrecy.

Countries have assumed the role of actors in a stage play, in what is the biggest theater to have ever been built: Earth. As actors they play roles, masquerading and becoming something that is nothing more than a façade. These masks hide the true faces.

A popular perception that pervades thought and dictates our thinking is this: “War leads to a better economy.” Paraphrasing Professor James Moriarty, all countries want to do is own the bullets and the bandages. But is it that simple?

Contradictory to the above perception, war leads to a debilitating economy. The renowned Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released some really interesting figures. Over a 20-year period, a 1% increase in military budget has resulted in a 9% decrease in the economy. In regions like Asia, the focus on defense has not taken center-stage.

In the humble opinion of this writer, countries should place special emphasis on decreasing military budgets but should reserve the right to do what they want to do, even if it means doom. Decreasing military budgets, as mentioned above, would result in a better economy. Often countries take loans to boost their budget, resulting in huge debts which often becomes problematic. Employment also takes a hit. As free-market economists (economists who believe that the market should be free from the intervention of a government), argue, the number of jobs in the private economy is taking a hit because of the increase in military budgets.

Countries should maintain their right to not reveal everything. With the ever-increasing surge in technology, the cornucopia of banes that accompany this surge is a problem that is yet to be solved. Countries fear data leaks, and rightfully so. And as far as morality is concerned, morality has no place in world politics. Morality is a mere excuse used when no logical point remains. In fact, in the period from 2002-2012, the countries reporting to the UN about their military expenditure has reduced from 81 to 49, a cataclysmic drop which indicates that countries have adopted the policy of discretion.

As the seats begin to fill in the world stage, and actors come and play their roles with near perfection, there remains a huge George RR Martin-esque question which hangs in the air, uneasily.

Who is the hero and who is the villain?

Exeunt Omnes.