Eirene, goddess of peace.Two events collided today. Firstly, the troops are ending combat operations in Iraq and secondly the Tories mumbled something about not replacing Trident.
Those of a traditionally militaristic nature, or who subscribe to fears about rogue nuclear states launching stuff at us, look away now.
I find the idea of having an aggressive military presence a piece of nonsense in a modern democracy. I think having folk in uniform is useful for some ceremonial outings once or twice a year and in case of natural catastrophes. Other than that, we can all read up on guerrilla tactics if we are invaded and concentrate on building a world-class diplomatic presence to help avoid testosterone-driven bloodshed.
There is a huge range of personality types in every society and I can understand and even sympathise with those who need firm boundaries, strict routines, lots of physical action, and an aversion to having to decide what to wear of a morning. But they don’t need to be given guns and other expensive penis-substitutes, instead they can be kept busy keeping the peace.
A subset of this group will be efficient killers and I can see that in some extreme situations that is a handy evolutionary adaptation, but my faith in human nature is such that I refuse to countenance the idea that there are sufficient numbers in that category that we need finance an army just to keep them out of jail. Those types can be encouraged to join foreign mercenary forces and be trained at the expense of the shareholders in those companies. Not that I in any way approve of mercenaries, but they might, again in extreme circumstances, serve a purpose, as long as they are strictly regulated.
Of course, other military organisations such as the navy could be retained because we are an island, so that makes some sense (not entirely sure what). These vessels need not be equipped with leaky nukes. The airforce; um, I’ve not thought through what their role can be. But you’re getting the picture.
Equally, we don’t need plans to invade other countries just because some of our citizens delude themselves that they still live in an empire, and contemplate the red parts of the map while twirling their mustachios. Would it not be more honourable to be an active force for peace within the UN sending the adventurous types off to assist in this, rather than engage in illegal wars that bring destruction to women and children and allow warlords to control the female populations in the name of their gods?
I’m aware that much of any population has at least a sneaking regard for their warrior class, and speaking out against them makes one unpopular. However, more and more people see the fairly obvious links between lack of respect for other nations, cultures and the health of the planet as well as the way women are disrespected and animals kept in conditions that allow their viruses to mutate to affect humans. Those who do not, are generally subjects who source their information about the world from heavily censored publications and broadcast media, and may never have heard the term critical thinking.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking
As for Trident, well, at least on that topic I can be confident that most of the population in my country are against it, want it removed and are adamant that it not be renewed. Parliament voted against it in 2007.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6752089.stm
Here’s a discussion we’d never get in the UK.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10569222
This is what we get…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/28/david-miliband-private-military
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