Why War Harms the Economy and Society

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:38:00 +0200

The article challenges the persistent belief that war benefits the overall economy, arguing instead that it devastates both economic productivity and social well-being. Written by Carlos Boix and republished on Nuclear-News, it asserts that war is the ultimate form of government intervention, one that expands state power at the expense of individual freedom, wealth, and efficiency. Boix explains that wartime spending only redirects resources rather than generating true economic value. Governments fund wars through taxes, inflation, and massive public debt, creating an illusion of prosperity while actually depleting savings and productive capital. Once the financial frenzy ends, societies face recession and inflationary collapse.

The author also challenges the idea that war-driven full employment or technological progress improves society. He argues that employment during wartime often produces unneeded goods like weapons and uniforms, wasting labor and resources. Likewise, military in