It's not particularly true outside the US though, most NATO members spend less than the 2%, and here in the UK the army is down to 30k or so staff. In a nation of 70 million. If total war were to break out, how long could the UK survive?

Meanwhile NHS spending as a % of GDP rose even under the conservatives, although this figure doesn't take into account an aging population.

[–] dessalines@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 month ago

Part of the post ww2 division of labor. The US would keep its war industry and become western capitalism's primary enforcement arm worldwide, letting its allies or defeated clients host US military bases and develop consumer products industries.

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