Founder, Sapiens-Institute.com | Co-founder of SubtleSearch, an AI powered data classification platform.
Ferguson’s Law states that any great power that spends more on debt service (interest payments on the national debt) than on defense will not stay great for very long. This was true for Hapsburg Spain, the ancient régime France, the Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire. In today's context, the argument to prioritize defense spending becomes even more relevant. If we are not a great power, who will defend our freedom and democracy? Some may argue that we should allocate more funds toward servicing our national debt to improve living standards. While managing national debt is undoubtedly important, we must also consider the growing threats from military totalitarian regimes and ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war. These examples illustrate the tangible dangers to global stability and democratic values. Spending on defense is not merely about maintaining military strength; it is about ensuring the security and sovereignty of our nation. A robust defense capability deters potential aggressors and safeguards our way of life. In contrast, neglecting defense in favor of debt repayment might lead to short-term economic benefits but can have severe long-term consequences. Without adequate defense, we risk losing our freedom, democracy, and the ability to protect our interests both at home and abroad. Moreover, historical precedents show that when nations fail to invest in their defense, they become vulnerable to external threats, leading to political and social upheaval that can drastically reduce living standards. Therefore, balancing our budget to ensure strong defense spending is crucial for the continued protection of our freedoms and the preservation of our democratic values.
US federal interest payments now exceed the defense budget.