In my opinion one of the best arguments for pacifism is the economic opportunity cost of war. There are so many different opportunities missed by the United States because of the huge portion of national budget dedicated to defense. In 2010 the U.S. budgeted to spend around 700 billion dollars on the military. Estimates on the amount of additional spending it would cost to provide basic education around the world is just 6 billion and basic health and nutrtion projected costs fall around 13 billion. In light of this small cost to directly influence the root causes of war it seems absurd that one would not choose pacifism over war. “Why We Fight” by Eugene Jarecki opened my eyes to the huge economic power of the military institution. It is important that our decisions as individuals consciously line up with our hopes for a peaceful nation.
Western society has fallen into this mass consumer trap that propels unecessary spending. I think fear keeps this system rigid and as conscious consumers we must start a revolution in our own lives before we will see radical change in government spending. It is incredible that in 1998 the U.S. spent 8 billion on cosmetics which is equal to the amount estimated to bring education to kids around the world. Spending on alcoholic drinks in Europe fell around 105 billion in 1998. Each dollar spent is a vote for what we want to see happen in the world. This concept keeps me from feeling totally helpless to stop the continuation of unecessary war.
(The State of Human development, The United Nations Human Development Report, 1998, ch.1, p 37)