MILITARY POWER IS SELF-DAMAGING

A Leaf Out of History

IN THE PRESENT world, at times, it becomes a matter of necessity to use force. But the use of force should be resorted to only when absolutely necessary, and that too only temporarily. Excessive focus upon accumulating military power is useful neither for individuals nor for nations; neither for Third World nations nor for superpowers.

In his speech on October 5, 1991, George H. W Bush, the former American President said:

“One cannot separate foreign policy and military issues from economic growth and reform. The world has seen only too clearly the immense costs of over-armed, aggressive states such as Iraq. It has also seen how excessive focus upon projecting politicomilitary power and neglecting the economy has badly, perhaps permanently damaged the USSR.”

No one is powerful enough to keep pace with economic progress and military power at the same time. Spending more resources on military power is always at the cost of neglecting the front of economic progress. Such a policy inevitably brings dangerous results, examples of which can be found in both distant and recent history.

Peace should form the general policy and war should only be an exception. The best and correct policy for any individual or nation is to set matters right in all dealings with others through peaceful means. The way of clash and confrontation should be adopted only in emergencies.

Much as we long for a perfect
world we are compelled to live
in an imperfect world.