Solutions to War: 3 Ways to Eliminate the Financial Incentives

a split image with a war-torn landscape on the left and a peaceful landscape on the right illustrates solutions to war

Have you ever wondered why wars are fought? What if the people who profit from war had to fight in them? In War Is a Racket, General Smedley D. Butler proposes radical solutions to war’s financial appeal. He suggests capping earnings, democratizing war decisions, and limiting military actions to defense only. Read on to discover how these changes could reshape the landscape of global conflicts.

Costs of War: How Ordinary People Shoulder the Burden

weary people in a war-torn area carrying their belongings illustrate the costs of war

Have you ever wondered who truly bears the costs of war? What price do service members and citizens pay while others profit? Ordinary citizens suffer the harsh repercussions of war. Not only do combatants and their loved ones grapple with physical wounds and psychological turmoil, but the wider community also shoulders the prolonged financial burdens, all without reaping any of the fiscal advantages that conflict might offer. Read on to discover the harsh realities of war’s impact on ordinary people.

Who Profits From War? Smedley Butler Identifies the Real Winners

a drawing of men in suits from behind walking on money-covered floors illustrates who profits from war

Have you ever wondered who profits from war in the end? What if the biggest winners aren’t on the battlefield but in boardrooms? You’re about to discover the sad truth about war profiteering. War Is a Racket by General Smedley D. Butler exposes how corporations and financiers have reaped enormous wealth from conflict throughout history. Prepare to have your eyes opened as you dive into the hidden economics of war.

War Makes Money—for a Few (General Smedley D. Butler)

a digital world map with data displayed in graphs illustrates that war makes money

Have you ever wondered about the true motives behind war? Is it really about patriotism and national security? In War Is a Racket, General Smedley D. Butler challenges common beliefs about warfare. He argues that war makes money for a select few while the majority suffer the consequences. Keep reading to discover Butler’s eye-opening insights from his military career.

Smedley D. Butler: War Is a Racket (Book Overview)

Smedley D. Butler: War Is a Racket (Book Overview)

Is war a racket? Who benefits? Who pays? General Smedley D. Butler’s War Is a Racket depicts conflict as essentially a venture that yields financial gain for a select few beneficiaries. This flies in the face of the common conviction that engaging in warfare is a necessary evil to maintain a country’s security. Read on for our overview of this book that might have you looking at war in a different light.

Will TikTok Be Banned in the US? A Full Breakdown

The TikTok app on a phone, which could be banned in the US soon.

Will TikTok be banned in the US? Why does the House want a TikTok ban? What challenges do potential buyers of the app face? The US House of Representatives recently voted to ban TikTok unless its parent company, Chinese-owned ByteDance, sells its stake in the app. The House cited concerns about China’s access to Americans’ data and its potential to use the app to spread misinformation. A forced sale of TikTok, while plausible, appears unlikely. Continue reading to learn why the House wants to ban TikTok, what TikTok’s options are, and the outlook for the future of the app.

A Kind of Revolution: Howard Zinn on the War for Independence

soldiers and flags in a city street during the American Revolution ("A Kind of Revolution") or the War for Independence

What economic issues did American elites face in the years leading up to the American Revolution, and how did the war allow them to address these problems? How did poor whites, slaves, and American Indians respond to the war? Howard Zinn titled Chapter 5 of A People’s History of the United States “A Kind of Revolution.” He characterizes America’s war for independence as a conflict between British and American elites rather than an uprising of the masses. Continue reading to get Zinn’s take on the American Revolutionary War and the formation of the United States.

The Territorial Expansion of the United States: A People’s History

a map of the US during the first half of the 19th century illustrates the territorial expansion of the United States

How was the United States able to expand westward during its early history? What was the cost? In his book A People’s History of the United States, historian Howard Zinn discusses the country’s economic and territorial expansion during the first half of the 19th century. He focuses on how it led to the displacement of American Indians and the Mexican-American War. Keep reading to understand the territorial expansion of the United States from Zinn’s perspective.

A People’s History of Reconstruction After the Civil War

freed slaves after the American Civil War illustrate the history of Reconstruction

How did the government originally intend to redistribute land and wealth seized in the South after the Civil War? What role did Northern Republicans play in developing Southern Black communities? What challenges did freed slaves face? After the American Civil War, Reconstruction sought to address issues of wealth, racial equality, and freed slaves’ rights. Initially, Reconstruction showed promise. Ultimately, the progress that was made was undone. Continue reading for a history of Reconstruction after the Civil War, according to historian Howard Zinn.