Masters of War: The Ruling Class and Their Profitable Conflicts
by: SanMan
From the earliest chronicles of civilization to our intricate geopolitical present, wars have been pivotal in crafting the trajectory of societies. But amidst the cacophony of battle cries and ideological fervor, there’s an often-overlooked pattern: the disproportionate windfalls these conflicts afford to the ruling elite, juxtaposed against the dire ramifications borne by ordinary citizens.
Historical Examples of Profit-Driven Wars
The Opium Wars of the 19th century serve as a salient starting point in this exploration. These conflicts saw the British Empire clash with Qing China, primarily driven by Britain's fervent ambition to correct its trade imbalance with China, using opium as its trade ace[1]. World War I, though remembered for its entrenched battlefields, provides a lens into the machinations of economic and industrial powers. Behind the veil of political maneuverings and tangled alliances lay the undeniable influence of arms manufacturers and other vested economic interests[2]. The 21st century's Iraq War, veiled by the ostensible threat of weapons of mass destruction, hid profound economic motivators, notably oil interests and lucrative defense contracts, epitomized by companies like Halliburton[3]. Russia's geopolitical strategies have similarly been intertwined with economic aspirations. Their maneuvers in Ukraine, for instance, bore the hallmarks of strategic control over vital gas pipelines and the immense economic prospects offered by the region's fertile lands[4]. Their foray into Afghanistan during the Cold War period, while ideologically framed, was equally influenced by the allure of critical resources and geostrategic dominance[5].
Mechanisms: How the Ruling Class Profits
Eisenhower's admonition about the "military-industrial complex" is more than just a prescient warning; it's an elucidation of a deeply entrenched nexus between defense industries and governmental powers. This relationship transforms wars into profitable enterprises, a trend glaringly evident in the defense contracts of recent Middle Eastern conflicts[6]. Beyond the immediacy of weapon sales and defense contracts lies the global contention for resources. Territories rich in oil, gas, minerals, and even water, like the Middle East and parts of Africa, have often become epicenters of conflicts, driven by the quest to control and monopolize these valuable assets[7]. War's financial underpinnings don't stop at resource control. Financial magnates and banking institutions often find wars to be lucrative periods. The Rothschild banking dynasty's rise during the Napoleonic Wars offers a glimpse into how finance and conflict can be intertwined[^8^]. Additionally, from a political perspective, wars often serve dual purposes for the ruling elite: externally, they enable resource and territory acquisition, while internally, they perpetuate states of emergency, thereby suppressing dissent and fortifying their grip on power[9].
Consequences for the Average Citizen
While the elite strategize and profit, it is the layperson who grapples with war's multifaceted repercussions. The immediate, visceral consequences manifest in loss of life, familial disruptions, and psychological traumas. From the desolate landscapes of WWI trenches to the modern drone warfare epoch, civilians frequently find themselves in the crossfire. But war's shadow extends beyond the battlefield. Economies, disrupted by wars, can spiral into recessions or even depressions. Post-WWI Germany, with its runaway hyperinflation, and Iraq's post-invasion economic doldrums, stand testament to this[10]. As if physical and economic consequences weren't dire enough, wars invariably contract the circle of civil liberties. Legislation, such as the post-9/11 USA PATRIOT Act, showcases the precarious balance between national security and individual freedoms, with the latter often sacrificed[11].
The Libertarian Perspective
Libertarian philosophy, with its bedrock in the Non-Aggression Principle, vehemently opposes offensive wars. To libertarians, such conflicts are antithetical to the ideals of justice, freedom, and individual autonomy[12]. Economically, wars symbolize not just expenditure but colossal misallocation. As postulated by the broken window fallacy, resources channeled into warfare could be far more productively employed elsewhere, catalyzing genuine societal development[13]. The curtailing of individual freedoms, whether through property seizures, heightened surveillance, or direct curbs on personal liberties, during wartime further underscores the antithetical nature of war to libertarian values[14].
An intricate examination of global conflicts reveals a sobering realization: beneath the veneer of ideologies and defense, wars are often choreographed dramas, with the ruling elite as the primary beneficiaries. In a world yearning for genuine peace, prosperity, and equality, it is imperative to recognize and challenge these veiled motives, aspiring towards a future untainted by the scourge of war for profit.
Sources:
Platt, S. (2018). Imperial Twilight: The Opium War and the End of China's Last Golden Age.
Tooze, A. (2014). The Deluge: The Great War, America and the Remaking of the Global Order, 1916-1931.
Briody, D. (2004). The Halliburton Agenda: The Politics of Oil and Money.
Sakwa, R. (2015). Frontline Ukraine: Crisis in the Borderlands.
Braithwaite, R. (2011). Afgantsy: The Russians in Afghanistan 1979-89.
Hartung, W. D. (1999). Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex.
Klare, M. T. (2002). Resource Wars: The New Landscape of Global Conflict.
Ferguson, N. (2000). The House of Rothschild: Volume 2: The World's Banker: 1849-1999.
Orwell, G. (1949). 1984.
Ferguson, N. (2006). The War of the World: Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West.
Greenberg, K. J. (2008). The Least Worst Place: Guantanamo's First 100 Days.
Rothbard, M. N. (2004). Man, Economy, and State with Power and Market.
Hazlitt, H. (1946). Economics in One Lesson.
Nozick, R. (1974). Anarchy, State, and Utopia.
