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The problem for EU countries is that for too long they've neglected military spending in favor of social programs, but now the chickens are coming home to roost

The problem for EU countries is that for too long they've neglected military spending in favor of social programs, but now the chickens are coming home to roost. US superpower status is waning, meaning EU states will need to ramp up military spending, and Russia is more aggressive than it's ever been. In the face of this EU countries will have to somehow cut social spending or raise taxes even higher. Neither is politically tenable.

toomuchtodo 4y ago
There is a third option. Increase military spending in the short term, but also be intentional about supporting immigration of younger, skilled workers from China and Russia (both whose fertility rates are below replacement rate and continuing to fall rapidly). Short term, military spending contains these countries with the threat of physical force, long term, you’re “stealing” (for lack of a better term) their productive future workers for someplace with (arguably) more stable, better governments and living situations (it’s not a secret those with means have been fleeing these regimes). This further handicaps the countries I mentioned on a go forward basis, allowing for (potentially) a decline in military spending over time.
- Sakos 4y ago
  Huh? We've been essentially doing this for the past 30 years. Chinese often go back to China with their US/European education and put it to good use there. It doesn't work as a brain drain when China has such a strong domestic market and there's so much money to be made there. There are also cultural and ideological ties that don't seem to be easily broken.
ClumsyPilot 4y ago
EU countries have much better militaries that Russia does if thet can act in unison. In fact recent events show just how linited Russian powess are. Also we are not doing enough to support ukraine, after 100 days of hand wrangling we decided to supply missile systems
- baybal2 4y ago

toomuchtodo 4y ago

There is a third option. Increase military spending in the short term, but also be intentional about supporting immigration of younger, skilled workers from China and Russia (both whose fertility rates are below replacement rate and continuing to fall rapidly). Short term, military spending contains these countries with the threat of physical force, long term, you’re “stealing” (for lack of a better term) their productive future workers for someplace with (arguably) more stable, better governments and living situations (it’s not a secret those with means have been fleeing these regimes). This further handicaps the countries I mentioned on a go forward basis, allowing for (potentially) a decline in military spending over time.

Sakos 4y ago
Huh? We've been essentially doing this for the past 30 years. Chinese often go back to China with their US/European education and put it to good use there. It doesn't work as a brain drain when China has such a strong domestic market and there's so much money to be made there. There are also cultural and ideological ties that don't seem to be easily broken.

ClumsyPilot 4y ago

EU countries have much better militaries that Russia does if thet can act in unison. In fact recent events show just how linited Russian powess are. Also we are not doing enough to support ukraine, after 100 days of hand wrangling we decided to supply missile systems

baybal2 4y ago