The 600-Pound Gorilla: Why a Smaller Department of Defense Is in the Best Interest of the United States
Abstract
The size and cost of the current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) actually weakens U.S. power rather than enhancing it. Over-reliance on the military form of national power, to the detriment of the domestic, economic, and informational forms of national power, weakens the United States position in international relations. The current size of the DoD is also economically unsustainable. The massive DoD and its added capability built up throughout the Cold War have resulted in U.S. strategic over-reach. The post-Cold War United States tends to approach problems with the threat or use of military force, confusing national interests with national defense and resulting in over-reach. The size and cost of today s military force is more than is necessary to provide U.S. national security. U.S. Government civilian leadership should reduce DoD personnel, equipment, and budget to a point that it can still protect the nation against realistic threats to national security, but no longer remains an economic or diplomatic vulnerability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA600999
Entities
People
- Ryan P. Allen
Organizations
- Marine Corps University