Violence... The story so far

Arms producing countries trading in arms seems natural enough, after all business is business. Sellers make money, buyers can defend themselves, or agress against neighbors. US business interests benefit. But does peace? We doubt it, especially when arms selling is indiscriminate--which amounts to "We will arm both of you, so you and him can fight." As we laugh all the way to the bank.

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. The world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children… This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron." Dwight D. Eisenhower, April 16, 1953.

A half century on, things have only gotten worse. Both Democratic and Republican administrations have been guilty. Links relating to arms trade around the world follow:

Arms Trade Activists: Provides links and email addresses to arms-activist organizations.

Control Arms: "The globalisation of the arms industry has opened up major loopholes in all current arms export regulations, allowing sales to human rights abusers and countries under arms embargoes."

Global Issues: "The arms trade is a major cause of human rights abuses. Some governments spend more on military expenditure than on social development, communications infrastructure and health combined. While every nation has the right and the need to ensure its security, in these changing times, arms requirements and procurements may need to change too."