ABSTRACT
One of the primary purposes of the federal government is to provide for the national defense. In the United States, spending on national defense makes up a large portion of the annual federal budget. Many Republicans and Democrats have called to trim military spending because it is no longer necessary and would allow the government to focus on more important priorities. Others argue that cuts to military spending would threaten the country’s ability to defend itself, while putting a lot of Americans out of work. Ultimately, the debate over military spending involves two long-standing conflicts in American politics. One conflict is over the appropriate role of the United States in international affairs. While some believe the U.S. should stay out of international conflicts, others argue that it must defend itself and fight for its principles and interests around the world. Another conflict centers on government spending on the federal bureaucracy. The military is the largest part of the federal bureaucracy, which makes it a prime target for those looking to reduce federal spending. Whether people see spending as wasteful or a good use of government funds largely depends on their foreign policy goals and economic self-interest.
