> The result of US society following this advice would be the subjugation of the US, and possibly all western democracies, by other countries.
This seems to be a common sentiment in the USA. Perhaps I'm naive, but you're saying that without your grossly overpowered military the USA would be overtaken by... Mexico? Canada?
I think it's a bit reductionist to simply say "less army = we die". Things are more complex than that. And perhaps you're missing the other side of the coin: "more army = more death". The military industrial complex is very real and this narrative benefits them a whole lot.
There is always a middle ground that doesn't result in the world burning or the USA spending 50% of it's discretionary budget on weapons.
This seems to be a common sentiment in the USA. Perhaps I'm naive, but you're saying that without your grossly overpowered military the USA would be overtaken by... Mexico? Canada?
I think it's a bit reductionist to simply say "less army = we die". Things are more complex than that. And perhaps you're missing the other side of the coin: "more army = more death". The military industrial complex is very real and this narrative benefits them a whole lot.
There is always a middle ground that doesn't result in the world burning or the USA spending 50% of it's discretionary budget on weapons.