NationStates Jolt Archive

This thought just occurred to me the other day about certain policies like the Green peace initiative (like government and corporate funding of more efficient cars and energies) and the privatization of the military within the United States (like Black Water and major contractors in Iraq). It almost seems like after so many lives have been lost in this war for oil that we're beginning to start to pour our resources into alternate fuels, but at the same time we're revamping our military to basically be up for sale for certain groups that may or may not hold Washington's interests to have access to our own weapons and technologies. Since finding alternate fuels is considered a matter of national security within the US aren't we digging ourselves into the same hole again with exporting our military power to other nations (if any of you remember when the Bush Administration sold some advanced F-16 jets to India a few days back as well as computer technology used for our guided missile systems to China). I guess what I'm asking is will people only try to push initiatives that will better man kind only when we face a near imminent destruction from nature or each other.

And while the subject of oil and alternate fuels are still up in the air: if we do decide to put the research in alternate fuels in the hands of major companies whats to keep the people who represent them from becoming corrupt just like the ones who represent Big Oil and use underhanded tactics to push their own policies just like Big Oil?

Now I know you may want to ask me for sources but I'm typing this at 1 a.m so I'm too tired right now to go on a fact check hunt right now but if by morning enough people have posted on this thread asking me I'll go ahead and get started. However see if what you find here is interesting and post an answer, I'd like to talk to someone who may know a little more about these areas of interest.

I honestly can't see the logic in selling military technology and hardware to nations that aren't your full allies, it just doesn't make sense and although it's a bit of money in the short term, in the long term it's dangerous. Privatization in the military is a very bad idea, you keep it nationalized and you can make sure your only supplying your closest allies etc.

Well doesn't seem like they want to stop.

The development of alternative fuel and energy sources is already largely a privately-funded thing. A guy I knew in college is working on electric engines for a major corporation, rather than for some bureau out in D.C. Any concern over whether those companies will become corrupt "like big oil" can probably be investigated with current data, because it's what's already going on, for the most part, from what I've seen. I doubt the private sector is hobbling itself intentionally, to help 'big oil.' There's more money to be had than the oil concerns can pay off in bribes, whether that happens or not.

Haha well your right about that. I guess what scares me the most is that my kids may have to deal with people who are crazy enough to shut down over 1000 windmills that power a city because some congressmen said a bad thing about their company, but thats just me being paranoid I guess.

Germany owns almost all of the market in wind turbine and some other renewable energy technologies. Funny thing is that if other countries (mine for example) had actually funded State r&d (or even had promoted research here by private/semi-private groups) then not only would the technology be better (as each countrywould probably specialise) but more people would be gaining money from it.

I honestly can't see the logic in selling military technology and hardware to nations that aren't your full allies, it just doesn't make sense and although it's a bit of money in the short term, in the long term it's dangerous.

Well, IIRC some military experts will argue that if you sell enough hardware (as in, not just some isolated tanks and jets), this will fund research in your country to get the next generation of stuff.

Also you must remember that US needs of F-16's and such are limited.

You need to keep your arms industry constantly selling and making stuff even as your military no longer needs it, so you can retain a staff of skilled workers for use if, say, you're in a war and need lots of stuff again.