{"id":6411,"date":"2018-10-11T15:06:47","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T20:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.brethren.org\/?p=6411"},"modified":"2018-10-11T15:06:47","modified_gmt":"2018-10-11T20:06:47","slug":"exporting-violence-how-preoccupation-with-u-s-economic-interests-is-undermining-peace-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/blogtest\/2018\/10\/11\/exporting-violence-how-preoccupation-with-u-s-economic-interests-is-undermining-peace-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Exporting Violence: How preoccupation with U.S. economic interests is undermining peace around the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

As members of the Church of the Brethren, it is easy to forget that there are worldviews other than \u201cpeacefully, simply, together.\u201d In our communities of faith, we are much more likely to have discussions about how we can make peace or build relationships with global competitors than we are to have discussions about how to gain coercive economic power over our international peers.\u00a0As it says in the statement\u00a0Justice and Nonviolence<\/a>, \u201cpersons who aim to maximize their wealth and power rather than serve human needs deny the sacredness of life.\u201d This lens is not universal, however- something that is made abundantly clear when looking at the United States\u2019 approach to national security in recent years.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0National Security Strategy<\/a>\u00a0released earlier this year by the Trump administration lists \u201cPromote American Prosperity\u201d among it\u2019s three main pillars, arguing that \u201ca strong economy protects the American people, supports our way of life, and sustains American power\u2026 A growing and innovative economy allows the United States to maintain the world\u2019s most powerful military and protect our homeland.\u201d This view is driven home by presidential advisor Peter Navarro in\u00a0a New York Times op-ed<\/a>, where he highlights the administration\u2019s belief that \u201ceconomic security is national security.\u201d<\/p>\n

This focus on American prosperity in relation to national security has begun to impact the global community, as U.S. arms sale policies are adjusted for the express purpose of\u00a0benefiting\u00a0the U.S. economically. This economic focus comes at a cost- a decrease in focus on the impacts of U.S. weapons sales on peace efforts, humanitarian situations and human rights.<\/p>\n