Abstract
This essay argues that national security should be the biggest beneficiary of a country’s budget. Reasons that back this argument revolve around the ability of a well-funded national security to protect citizens and promote economic and political stability. Nevertheless, we argue that national security is more important than other dockets, including programs that promote economic growth. Critiques argue that economic stability should be the most funded sector because it creates a foundation for better national security. Even so, we refute this by arguing that there is no economic growth in a country dominated by insecurity. Ending this essay is advice for governments on what to do to enjoy the fruits of protection, economic security, and political stability.
National Security Should Have the Largest Share of the Budget
What is national security? Also referred to as national defense, this is a state’s defense and security, including its institutions, economy, and citizens. National security was originally envisioned to protect a country’s borders against military attacks. However, it has taken several dimensions not limited to energy security, food security, environmental security, crime minimization, and cyber security. All these are meant to keep the nation from harm. Without national security, a country will fail to protect its citizens from attacks that can cause national instability. National instability can come in several forms, including wars, hunger, drought, floods, and terrorism–which will paralyze the normal functions of society. However, when national security is given the biggest share of the budget, governments will carry out better control and response to attacks to maintain stability. Therefore, national security should have the largest share in a country’s budget to protect citizens, maintain economic stability, and promote political stability.
First, granting the biggest share to national security will protect the citizens from harm. National security shields citizens in a country from threats that will render them weak and helpless. This can occur in ways that include protecting citizens from pandemics and natural hazards. First, citizens can be protected from pandemics in a better way when national security is heavily funded. As Rajan (2022) noted, the national security docket will be able to foresee these pandemics, put all the necessary counterattacks on set, and respond swiftly to any possible signs that indicate danger. Second, citizens will be protected from the severe effects of natural disasters. These include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, floods, drought, tsunamis, and earthquakes. With a great share of the budget allocated to national security, more research programs will be done to detect the coming of these disasters, after which the governments will apply the necessary precautions and be able to pass early warnings to their citizens.
Second, economic stability will be maintained when national security has a giant share of the budget. Economic security is one of the duties of national security; therefore, it is the duty of national security to ensure that a country’s economy is stabilized. This can be done in two ways. For one, national security enables the government to develop economic security programs. Sherman and Mitchell (2017) state these programs can range from housing subsidies, tax credits, and food assistance. This will help promote the affordability of basic needs, reduce severe poverty, and increase income. Second, the government can protect the local market from exploitation. They can do this by making it easy for local businesses to thrive and carrying more exportation than importation. Through this, a country’s economy will thrive, leading to a stable country.
Third, national security can maintain political stability when allocated with the best share of the budget. Political stability is crucial for a country to prosper and maintain the smooth running of operations. Political stability means a country will have good political relations with other countries and a reduced likelihood of demonstrations, violence, strikes, government collapse, regime reversals, coups, and crimes (Khorram-Manesh, 2023). Also, there will be a reduced likelihood of war occurrence and terrorism. With a well-funded national security, the government will protect citizens against these political threats by acting accordingly and responding to them before further damages are caused. As a result, the country will experience steady economic growth, an uninterrupted education system, and political maturity.
However, it is argued that a country’s economy should be put first. Therefore, countries should give the largest share of the budget to programs that push for the economy’s growth. This is because effective national security calls for a strong economic foundation. The economy plays a significant role in national security by providing resources. It provides the necessary resources needed to run an effective national security. These resources include taxes and money that are necessary for maintaining and building armed forces, funding intelligence-gathering sectors, and supporting diplomatic activities. Also, it provides a skilled and educated labor force to control national security policies. However, a country cannot build a thriving economy with a weak national security system. For example, a country that faces frequent wars cannot experience economic growth. National security is a prerequisite for economic stability.
To conclude, a giant part of a country’s budget should be directed to national security to promote safety, economic strength, and political firmness. Countries should prioritize their national security to enjoy the benefits of better citizen protection, economic growth, and political maturity.
References
Rajan, V. (2022). Importance and Benefits of National Security. Www.longdom.org. https://www.longdom.org/open-access/importance-and-benefits-of-national-security-93547.html
Khorram-Manesh, A. (2023). Global transition, global risks, and the UN’s sustainable development goals–A call for peace, justice, and political stability. Global Transitions, 5, 90-97.
Sherman, A., & Mitchell, T. (2017, July 13). Economic Security Programs Help Low-Income Children Succeed Over Long Term, Many Studies Find. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/economic-security-programs-help-low-income-children-succeed-over#:~:text=Government%20economic%20security%20programs%20such
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