What country has the world’s highest military spending?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, the information provided and any links below:
According to the data from the chart above, how much did the U.S. spend on its military in 2022?
In 2022 the U.S. spent a lot of money on defense: $877 billion, which is more than any other country. But that spending is equal to only 3.74% of its GDP, which is only the 21st most in the world. Which do you think is a more accurate way to measure defense spending: as a total amount or as a percentage of a country’s money?
Of the countries listed in the chart above, the following are American allies: India, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, Ukraine, and Israel. How many of the top 15 military spending nations from the chart above are not U.S. allies?
What is the big story this chart tells about U.S. military spending?
Why do you think the U.S. spends so much on the military?
Explain how the current conflicts in Ukraine and Israel will impact U.S. military spending.
Imagine that you were the head of the Office of Management and Budget, (You down with OMB?) responsible for formulating the President’s overall budget. What information that is NOT provided in the chart would you like to know to help you make better budgeting decisions?
What specific departments, agencies, and offices in the US government would be involved in making recommendations on military spending.
According to the U.S. Constitution What specific military powers does the POTUS have?
When you look at U.S. military spending compared to other countries as a portion of GDP (below*), and when you look at projected Military spending (below*), what conclusions can you draw about America's future role as world superpower?
Learning Extension
Check out this wicked cool global military data from data daddy himself, Max Roser. And check out his interactive military spending charts below.
Action Extension
Think about how you could best influence American budget priorities and spending and then check out this ACTION page from the National Priorities Project. Then share your opinion about U.S. military spending with POTUS Biden.