ABSTRACT
At its core, America's defense addiction is largely economic, a pursuit of jobs, careers, and profits. Since the excesses of the defense sector drain treasure, natural resources, skills, and brainpower from the nation's efforts at renewal, the cure also resides in the economic domain. This chapter discusses developments within the defense-industry sector and their pros and cons. Americans need development that will raise living standards and create jobs while sparing air, soil, and water from pollution. Such development includes but goes beyond the public infrastructure, research and development (R&D), and training discussed in this book. Shifting economic and social currents have recently shaken their belief in the future. This has happened before, as it did in the far grimmer 1930s. But to be capable of renewal, a society must look to the future with confidence. A new vision of peacetime development and a cooperative spirit can unleash a lot of energy and restore that confidence.
