seeking information regarding military expenses in the U.S....

[mike_c]

I'm trying to take a short-cut here. Could anyone help point me toward sources of information for answering these questions:

1) How large was the U.S. military budget during each year of the twentieth century (and to the present)? I suppose "military budget" can mean the total annual DoD appropriation unless there is some more meaningful measure.

2) How does that expenditure relate to the nation's overall economy, i.e. is there some measure of the role military expenditures have served in driving, and altering, the U.S. economic output? Perhaps DoD spending as a proportion of gross domestic product?


I'm researching the sustained war-time economy post-WWII and its influence upon U.S. foreign policy during and after the cold war. One reason I think the whole DoD budget is meaningful is that money flows from taxpayers to the military-industrial complex as well as to military operations, but I'm assuming it all flows through the DoD-- I'd also appreciate any comments clarifying that assumption.

[EFerrari]

1. Doesn't some of it go through State, too? I'm thinking of those big

Black Water USA contracts.

[mike_c]

2. yes-- I wonder if there is any way to track those expenses too....

eom

[EFerrari]

4. I'd begin with the IG for State. That office is tasked with keeping

track of those expenses -- like this: http://www.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/iab/2003/7807.htm

[mike_c]

6. thanks...

However, I am more interested in the historical info-- I'm researching growth of the relationship between the gov't and the MIC during and after WWII. We've all heard it said that the post-war economy was kept on a war footing as money flowed in an apparently endless stream from the treasury to the MIC and I'd like a look at the data supporting that assertion.

[jpgray]

3. Since our military budget eclipses all other nations combined, and our GDP does not, that's a start

As for more specific data, I don't have anything offhand.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Lots of things aren't even in the 'military' budget. Like VA expenses, all of the 'black ops', and

'intelligence'pieces aren't there. I've read that some of the research funds are separate as well. One organization estimates that 57% of the total budget goes to the military. And of course, the 'cost of our wars' are done outside of the DOD budget.

[mike_c]

7. yeah, that's one reason this is so slippery to get a handle on....

[EFerrari]

8. Here's a likely link, mike:

Relative Size of US Military Spending, 1940--2003
Introduction

The graphs and tables below depict the history of the relative size of US military spending. Relative size is measured here in two ways:

* In each year, how much was spent on the military compared to the size of the US economy?
* In each year, how much was spent on the military compared to other discretionary outlays in the federal budget?

Please note that

* "federal spending" refers to outlays;
* "military spending" refers to "national defense" spending (budget function 050), which may include spending outside of the Department of Defense; and,
* years are fiscal years.

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/military-relative-size.php

[mike_c]

9. thanks! that is EXACTLY what I'm looking for....

:bounce:

[EFerrari]

10. Good! n/t