Exam 20: Mark Zelcer and Jen Kling, “Military Spending”

In his essay, Zelcer offers a number of arguments in favor of his position. Which of the following is NOT one of those arguments?

In the section of her essay titled, "Safety and Security," Jen Kling considers three scenarios which she presents in order to help her reader to think about global stability. In your essay, explain these scenarios, as well as her reasons for favoring the one that she does. Then, consider what would have to be true in order to make one of the other two scenarios preferable to the one that Kling chooses. Do your considerations complicate Kling's argument? Why or why not?

Zelcer and Kling agree that having a strong, prepared, robust U.S. military is essential.

In his reply, Zelcer discusses the merits of liberal democracies with strong militaries. He says, It could even be argued that liberal democracies like the US with strong militaries make war less common, not more. A nation can use a powerful military to threaten and coerce, but threats neither kill people nor topple governments. War does. This reply shows that Zelcer sees threats and coercion as being importantly different from war. In your essay, consider why might someone push back against this assertion. In other words, what might be a reason to worry about Zelcer's suggestion that stronger militaries-who have the powers of threat and coercion-make war less common? How might Zelcer respond to this objection?

In his reply, Zelcer suggests that it is possible for liberal democracies with strong militaries to make war less common.

In his essay, Mark Zelcer says that most governments' behavior is "Thrasymachian." In your essay, explain what he means by this. Should we behave as though this is true? Or is there another way that military spending ought to be responsive to governmental behavior?

In his essay, Zelcer affirms that what is the basic reason that militaries exist?

In his essay, Zelcer argues that the more nations that are militarily self-reliant, _____

In her essay, Kling affirms that the goal of increased U.S. military spending is to accomplish what?

Identify the author who affirms: "Countries are indeed going to resort to violence when it suits their purposes, and so our goal should be to set conditions for as much cooperation and pacifist interaction as possible, between as many peoples as feasible, given the liberties we value."

In her essay, Kling argues that current military operations adversely affect what group?

In her reply, Kling affirms that what is changeable in the military spending domain?

In her essay, Kling argues that the U.S. military has the economic problems that _____ typically have.