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At that point, why should there even be private defense companies? Why do we accept that weapons manufacturing is outside of democratic control and civilian re
by eli_gottlieb 11y ago
At that point, why should there even be private defense companies? Why do we accept that weapons manufacturing is outside of democratic control and civilian restraint?
- a3n 11y agoInteresting question. I have no idea one way or the other, I've never studied economics beyond 101. An exploration of that question might include why the US relied on private industry for WWII military needs, rather than building its own factories or taking over existing ones.
- Zigurd 11y agoThe US effectively commandeered private industry in WWII. They were compensated, but that was nothing like the current military weapons procurements system.
- a3n 11y agoBut they were still private. Under orders, just like individual citizens were under orders, with the draft and rationing. It was arguably an existential threat. But the commandeered private industry was what the current MIC grew from. It wouldn't have happened without WWII.
- ethbro 11y agoIt's not outside of civilian control and democratic restraint in the US. It's just an extremely convoluted route from that to the end product. In fact, we'd probably get a better deal if there were less so. The amount of money wasted on politically-supported but infeasible/impractical systems is mind boggling.