In 2024, there is a growing chorus of political voices from across the world, our own gove
rnment being no exception, calling for an increase in spending on weapons. More than that, some parts of the armed forces establishment are encouraging a readiness for war in society more generally. This comes as international relations are under strain, with the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza being the closest to home.
The world is indeed facing multiple crises, from the community to global level, but an increase in spending on military has a number of impacts:
- it increases tensions and in turn challenges others countries to also pin their security on military might.
- it inclines those in political power to turn to military solutions to conflict rather than give sufficient weight to alternatives.
- quite simply, use of weapons causes death and injury to people – it is what they are designed for – and has a terrible impact on the environment.
- increases in military spending take money and skills away from more sustainable approaches to building human security, such as addressing needs and insecurities, from education, food and health to energy and climate.
During April and May there will again be Global Days of Action on Military Spending (see below for events and resources), the annual focus for the Global Campaign. This period, with the help of resources compiled by the Campaign, is an opportunity for Quakers and others, to put forward alternative views and questions, to political figures, faith and community organisations, arts and cultural bodies, and more. Northern Friends Peace Board is part of the UK group supporting the Global Campaign on Military Spending.
You can be part of the campaign by signing up via https://demilitarize.org.uk/. This will give you the chance to both receive and contribute ideas, be in touch with others concerned about these issues, and help raise the visibility of an alternative to the increases in military spending being proposed.
More than 100 years ago Quakers met internationally and said:
You cannot foster harmony by the apparatus of discord, nor cherish goodwill by the equipment of hate. But it is by harmony and goodwill that human security can be obtained. Armaments aim at a security in isolation; but such would at best be utterly precarious and is, as a matter of fact, illusory. The only true safety is the safety of all, and unless your weapon of defence achieves this work, or works towards this, it is a source of antagonism and therefore of increased peril. — All Friends Conference, 1920
UPDATES
GDAMS 2024 Statement: War Costs Us The Earth – Disarmament now to save people and planet
16 Apr 2024 — War costs us the Earth: GDAMS 2024 – 19:30
– webinar to start the Global Days of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS) – looking at the political landscape in the UK on around military spending ahead of the General Election with Campaign Against Arms Trade, Rethinking Security and CND Register: https://t.co/85mJ42ZzQ2