Ones and Tooze The Pentagon vs. Walmart
Dec 17, 2021
The recent approval of a massive defense budget sparks a debate on its scale compared to corporate giants like Walmart and Amazon. The hosts delve into the economic implications of military spending and its effectiveness. Meanwhile, holiday consumerism is explored, with Americans expected to spend $859 billion, raising questions about the true value of gift-giving. Insights on consumer debt and the emotional weight of presents add a philosophical twist to holiday spending. Listeners are engaged with fun discussions on gift quirks and the complexities of holiday traditions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Military Budget Size
- The US military budget is enormous, exceeding $768 billion, larger than Walmart's annual revenue.
- This budget surpasses other large entities like Amazon and China's state electricity grid, excluding CIA and other security spending.
Military Privatization
- Privatization within the military focuses on logistics, not frontline combat.
- This trend started in the 1980s, accelerating during the Clinton administration with the Bosnian intervention.
LogCap and Contractor Ratios
- The Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LogCap), launched in 1985, significantly expanded private sector involvement in military logistics.
- In recent wars, the ratio of contractors to military personnel has reached approximately one to one.
