The US Military: Funding and Reasoning

1. Purpose of Military

   Annotations:

   • An army deals with the security as well as the peacekeeping of a country, protecting its citizens from all threats and such.
   • It is also there to boast the level of power that the US is able to exude should it be brought into war

Annotations:

• http://www.globalresearch.ca/more-than-50-of-us-government-spending-goes-to-the-military/18852
• Global Research, 2010, More than 50% of US Government Spending Goes to the Military, Available at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/more-than-50-of-us-government-spending-goes-to-the-military/18852, [Accessed 21 May 2013]
• (Global Research, 2010)

1. Taxes
2. Budget Allocation

   Annotations:

   • http://nationalpriorities.org/en/analysis/2013/president-obamas-fiscal-year-2014-budget/
3. Current Enlistment

   Annotations:

   • US Department of Defense, 2013, Active Duty Military Personnel by Service by Rank/Grade (February 2013), Available at: http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/MILITARY/rg1302.pdf, [Accessed 21 May 2013]
   • http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/MILITARY/rg1302.pdf

1. Priorities?

   Annotations:

   • In this case, we can assume that the priorities for the US in terms of funding would be the military. Why though? That is the issue here. It is most likely that the US is prioritizing the safety of the country's inhabitants, economy and security rather than other aspects.
   1. Essential needs, services?

      Annotations:

      • In terms of essential needs and services,
2. Hard Power

   Annotations:

   • The military force is one of the main aspects of a country's 'hard power'.
   • Hard power can be defined as the militaristic and financial influence over other states. Hard power is what protects the country as well as allows it to thrive.
   • http://www.themarknews.com/articles/895-hard-power-vs-soft-power#.UZqj1ZxqPyQ
   • Copeland, D, 2010,  Hard Power Vs. Soft Power, Available at: http://www.themarknews.com/articles/895-hard-power-vs-soft-power#.UZqj1ZxqPyQ, Accessed 21 May 2013
   • (Copeland, D, 2010)
   • http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-worldwide-network-of-us-military-bases/5564
   • Global Research, 2007, The Worldwide Network of US Military Bases, Available at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-worldwide-network-of-us-military-bases/5564, [Accessed 21 May 2013]
   1. Realism - Relative Gain

      Annotations:

      • The US is a superpower within the world and continues to strive to be one.
      • http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam032/99053676.pdf
      • Donelly, J, 2000. Realism and International Relations. 1st ed. United Kingdom: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge.
      • (Donelly, J, 2000, pg. 9)

1. US - Superpower
   1. Great demands
      1. Strong military force
         1. Upon closer look, spends a lot on it, why?
   2. US Dollar used as standard currency
2. Total Military spending

   Annotations:

   • http://www.globalissues.org/article/75/world-military-spending
   • $1.63 trillion at 2010 prices; 41% are USA
   • Global Issues, 2012, World Military Spending, Available at: http://www.globalissues.org/article/75/world-military-spending, [Accessed 21 May 2013]
   • (Global Issues, 2012)