Weapons: an unavoidable reality?

Why are companies obsessed with weaponry?

Soldiers with guns and a helicopter flying overhead

Nature has equipped most creatures with the means to defend themselves: claws, beaks, fangs, hooves and horns are just a few examples of natural weapons. Humans, for their part, have devised hundreds of ways to protect themselves from their fellow creatures. Some are so violent and irrevocable that they are forbidden to use, such as nuclear weapons or chemical agents.

Nevertheless, it seems more than ever that states are spending money on their armies. Against a backdrop of growing tension and mistrust, no one dares cut back on military spending at the risk of being perceived as weak by their neighbor, and offering an opportunity for attack. Yet the figures show that most conflicts arise within nations rather than between them. They are more often settled with AK-47s than with missiles or drones.

What's more, today's most dangerous crises won't be solved with armaments. Wealth inequalities or climate change have no bearing on the number of tanks. These crises, which create tensions, could be resolved with more investment. But as long as the climate is not one of confidence, it seems unlikely that arms sales will decrease.

Running time: 30min18

Image: Pexels from Pixabay

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