Re:Women are rejecting marriage in Asia. The social implicat...
by lionhearted on Saturday August 20, 2011 @02:30AM
(#2906004)
> I don't think they can re-militarize without declaring war on America. Part of the treaty we set up at the end of WWII and all.
I think things have sufficiently changed since the 1940's that re-militarizing could happen without too much hostility, given good diplomacy with USA and China.
I actually think America would like another friendly military power in the Pacific.
It might lead to diplomatic tension, but there's like a 0% chance it'd lead to a declaration of war. They've got their hands way, way too full elsewhere.
Re:Women are rejecting marriage in Asia. The social implicat...
by CamperBob on Saturday August 20, 2011 @02:50AM
(#2906029)
What are they going to do with a military? Why not just go through Tokyo with a baseball bat and break as many windows as possible? That'll put people to work without risking the peace.
I don't disagree with your thesis that peaceful societies tend to amuse themselves to death, but I don't see how military spending is a magical way out of that trap, unless you go looking for trouble.
Wait... Maybe that means the reason they are declining is because we neutered them...?
P.S. I suspect the reason your theory has not been explored much in public writings is because it has an implied support of continued military activity, funding and dominance, which is a very unpopular position in the US today. Ironically, probably because we reside exactly in the part of your described cycle corresponding with military decline!