European Tribune - Comments - Does Capitalism Require Warfare?

Does Capitalism Require Warfare? | 40 comments (40 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Does Capitalism Require Warfare? (none / 0)

I suppose one could claim that capitalism required war were it not for the small issue that none of the wars we've fought, or are fighting, are necessary to sustain capitalism. What, exactly, did capitalism gain from Vietnam, or Afghanistan, or Iraq? One could just as easily, if not more so, argue that war is an enemy of capitalism, as it necessarily drains resources. Money that could've been spent on iPods is now being blown on Humvees.

That's not to say that wars have not been fought for reasons that are relevant to capitalism, but the claim of requirement is absurd.

Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin

by Drew J Jones (myfriends@thisispancakes.com) on Mon Jan 29th, 2007 at 03:51:28 AM EST

Re: Does Capitalism Require Warfare? (none / 0)

Haw about war is as good a keynesian policy as digging money into the ground and back up?

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jan 29th, 2007 at 03:53:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does Capitalism Require Warfare? (none / 0)

Certainly Iraq has stimulated industries in certain parts of America, but the recovery was already on the way in March of 2003. And what industries were damaged by the flow of money into the defense industry?

As a basic principle, you're right. But the principle is not "War is Good". It's "Reinflating the Economy is Good". WWII simply served as a great excuse to spend a hell of a lot more money.

Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin

by Drew J Jones (myfriends@thisispancakes.com) on Mon Jan 29th, 2007 at 04:02:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does Capitalism Require Warfare? (none / 0)

Germany's economy had fully recovered, and then some, by the time it attacked Poland.

by richardk (richard kulisz gmail) on Mon Jan 29th, 2007 at 02:00:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Does Capitalism Require Warfare? | 40 comments (40 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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