9 ms·

During WW2 the US built e.g over 300 destroyers in 6 years. Now they struggle to complete 2 per year. It might not be impossible but something has fundamentally

During WW2 the US built e.g over 300 destroyers in 6 years. Now they struggle to complete 2 per year. It might not be impossible but something has fundamentally changed.

manquer 3y ago
War time procurement subverts entire industries and reserves everything anybody produces first for the military. Sure the country produced 300 destroyers, tens of thousands of aircraft and tanks, and that production is what ultimately won the war , but you have to keep in mind the country produced little else any other normal economic activity was severely curtailed and even basic life needs were rationed. It not only ramping up but also ramping down are problematic, for example even though military doesn’t really want congress keeps budgeting for M1 tanks so it can keep those jobs. Suddenly producing 20 destroyers in one year and nothing for next 15 is going to impact labor market massively and also you are going to loose all the skills acquired In peacetime you want a low constant throughput for your military.
throw0101b 3y ago
> During WW2 the US built e.g over 300 destroyers in 6 years. Yes, with 40% of GDP going to war production: * https://www.stlouisfed.org/en/on-the-economy/2020/february/war-highest-defense-spending-measured https://www.stlouisfed.org/en/on-the-economy/2020/february/w... And every other form of manufacturing shutdown or rationed for the war effort. Even how jeans were stitched together was regulated (to save on resources): * https://www.ropedye.com/2013/05/levis1944-501/ https://www.ropedye.com/2013/05/levis1944-501/ * https://www.levistrauss.com/2020/09/30/world-war-ii-levis/ https://www.levistrauss.com/2020/09/30/world-war-ii-levis/ > It might not be impossible but something has fundamentally changed. Societal priorities and focus against an existential threat.

9 ms·

During WW2 the US built e.g over 300 destroyers in 6 years. Now they struggle to complete 2 per year. It might not be impossible but something has fundamentally

by nasmorn 3y ago

During WW2 the US built e.g over 300 destroyers in 6 years. Now they struggle to complete 2 per year. It might not be impossible but something has fundamentally changed.

manquer 3y ago
War time procurement subverts entire industries and reserves everything anybody produces first for the military. Sure the country produced 300 destroyers, tens of thousands of aircraft and tanks, and that production is what ultimately won the war , but you have to keep in mind the country produced little else any other normal economic activity was severely curtailed and even basic life needs were rationed. It not only ramping up but also ramping down are problematic, for example even though military doesn’t really want congress keeps budgeting for M1 tanks so it can keep those jobs. Suddenly producing 20 destroyers in one year and nothing for next 15 is going to impact labor market massively and also you are going to loose all the skills acquired In peacetime you want a low constant throughput for your military.
throw0101b 3y ago
> During WW2 the US built e.g over 300 destroyers in 6 years. Yes, with 40% of GDP going to war production: * https://www.stlouisfed.org/en/on-the-economy/2020/february/war-highest-defense-spending-measured https://www.stlouisfed.org/en/on-the-economy/2020/february/w... And every other form of manufacturing shutdown or rationed for the war effort. Even how jeans were stitched together was regulated (to save on resources): * https://www.ropedye.com/2013/05/levis1944-501/ https://www.ropedye.com/2013/05/levis1944-501/ * https://www.levistrauss.com/2020/09/30/world-war-ii-levis/ https://www.levistrauss.com/2020/09/30/world-war-ii-levis/ > It might not be impossible but something has fundamentally changed. Societal priorities and focus against an existential threat.