Weapons Industry Profiteering and Effects of the Murderous Arms trade (sample Research Essay outline)

Sample Working thesis:
The global arms industry is fuelling the flames of civil war and disrupting societies for materialistic gain, the uninhibited international arms trade has intensified arms race among rival nations with devastating effects on unstable regions of the world.

Outline:

1. Political influence of the arms industry:

> Most countries have a native arms industry which caters to its military needs while others prefer ‘off the shelf’ purchase from multinational corporations.

> The world’s largest arms manufacturers, which belong mostly to the U.N’s Permanent Security Council members, enjoy a close relationship with the local governments which allows them to wield influence over government policies.

> The arms industry employs tactics such as offering private ownership of its firms and subsidiaries, the use of lobbying companies and public endorsements of high profile figures to further their influence and reach into government networks.

> The weapons contractors use their government influence and enormous financial base to secure tax-breaks (rampant in USA) and subsidies which is paid for by the public taxes.

2. Profiteering and government support for the arms industries:

> The world superpowers have realized the international arms trade to be the single most profitable activity which is apparently immune to economic downturns.

> In technologically advanced economies (for ex. USA) the military, the government and commerce have become greatly intertwined; meaning that the existence of a thriving defense industry is considered vital for national security.

> The total defense expenditure of the world now stands at in excess of one trillion US dollars and about thirty percent of the amount is attributed to arms trading revenue.

> Military aid (paid for by tax dollars) provided by US to developing countries often carry a condition that it can only be spend on weapon purchases from US arms manufacturers. This way public money is converted in to profits for corporations.

> The governments constantly keeps revising policies to up keep the profits earned by the arms industries under the pretext of preventing job losses associated with the weapons industry.

3. The weapons trade and the arms race:

> The emerging economies are seen as promising markets by large arms dealers as most developing countries do not have an established arms industry

> Developing countries which are fighting off regional conflicts and in need of military armament are provided by governments of superpowers through national arms dealers in exchange for various ‘support and services’.

>Third world nations that are tied in bitter rivalry (such as India and Pakistan) have been involved in a massive arms building campaign (made possible by the availability of a vast weapons market). Interestingly, both the rivals have been receiving arms through the same weapons corporations.

> The world superpowers use the weapons industry to win allies in the developing world and extend their military presence and region of influence.