The US Should Cut Its Military Budget in Half to Fund Domestic Programs
Source: Eric Blanc. "Cut the Military Budget in Half." March 3, 2026. jacobin.com
The Gist
America spends way too much on its military - nearly $900 billion a year - which pressures politicians to use that military and keeps us from spending money on things that would actually help working families. We should cut that budget in half, which would still leave us as the world's biggest military spender but free up hundreds of billions for healthcare, housing, education, and other programs people actually need.
Conclusion
The United States should cut its military budget in half, from $886 billion to approximately $443 billion annually
Premises
- The current $886 billion military budget creates institutional pressure to use military force and justify continued expansion
- Even after cutting in half, the US would still be the world's largest military spender at $443 billion
- The freed $443 billion could fund transformative domestic programs like Medicare for All, universal childcare, or housing construction
- Military spending is plagued by waste, irrationality, and lack of financial accountability, making cuts feasible
- Historical precedent exists: military spending was cut 89% from 1945-1948 after WWII with successful economic conversion
- Current military dominance strategy fuels dangerous great power competition when global cooperation is needed for climate change and AI development
- Many Americans already support military budget cuts over expansion, and the Iran war is widely opposed
Assumptions
- Military spending directly drives military interventionism
- Domestic social programs would be more beneficial than military spending
- The US doesn't need current levels of military capability for legitimate defense
- Political opposition to military cuts can be overcome through proper framing and coalition building
- Economic conversion from military to civilian production is feasible in the modern economy