Consumerism

Keeping a nation safe relies on several large policy arenas. First is military strength to protect the borders of the nation from invasion. Second is international trade policy that builds markets and cooperation among nations for economic good, for all such nations. Third is domestic economics that strives to build an economy that creates and maintains jobs, produces goods and services needed by billions of consumers. The latter relies on consumers. Consumption of goods and services is the cornerstone of all economies. Without that, domestic economies fail. Failed domestic economies are not players in international economics, and that means the nation is not a player in the global community.

There you have it. Three policy arenas that spell success or failure for a nation and for the global community. It can be argued that military might relies on economic strengths to afford the military development in the first place. So, economics is the core of a nation’s wellbeing. And economics depends almost solely on consumption by everyday citizens.

Stop or dramatically slow the economy and all else fails.

Building wealth among people and sharing it as freely as possible – that means make it as accessible to as many people as possible – is the primary function of government. Build that and all else is possible. Making wealthy people wealthier does not yield desired results. Embracing diversity of people, ideas, and resources creates innovation and a constant stream of investible opportunities. Producing products and services for current and emerging markets for consumption is the pinnacle of successful economies.

When a nation focuses mainly on military might, their economy lacks depth and long-term strength.  It will become hollow, weak and a failure. Russia has been doing this for years. Its economic strength is currently not renewable. Its military operations sap wealth from the very machine they need to continue its history. Absorbing territories from other nations is not the answer. In fact, it is the cause of certain failure.

Winning requires gaining trust and collaboration of other people. That feeds economic success which empowers the global economy and community. In turn that produces peace and stability. When it doesn’t, the nation is not about peace. Rather, it pursues power which leads to more violence, expense and loss; for them and the world community.

It goes back to consumerism. There are all sorts of ways to start economic success. Investment is the best, performed by millions of people and organizations (corporations). When capital is not available, then governments are the investors, at least for a time until economic interests have the wealth for investment. That does not require wealthy people; it needs individuals willing to take risks, develop ideas, and work hard to make results happen.

Remember that when next you spend a dollar on something. It is the crucial action we all take to make our nation successful and sustainable.

December 4, 2024

  

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