The evolutionary nature of a democracy in a country can be determined by the ratio of educational to military expenditure.
[NOTE] This reliance is very experimental and relies on a short sample data (year 2005). Data over a long period of time can be a better indicator on the spending pattern on military and education in respective Democracies. During the year under consideration (2005), Germany, Australia, Canada, UK and the U.S. were fighting the {so-called} “war on terror”. This compilation will provide you with an idea on how much Countries spend on military under the guise - “psychology of fear” (or in other words - “protecting your freedom”).
Expenditure on Military and Education - Countrywise breakup
Some interpretations:
- Considering the educational-to-military spending ratio, _only_ Russian Federation has the lowest value of 0.97 with its defence expenditure exceeding its educational expenditure.
- Countries with relatively lesser threats (i mean, factoring out *paranoid perceived threats*) are spending more on military. U.S with a value of 1.30, Australia with 1.87, followed by France at 2.19 and U.K at 2.33 are causes of concern. I am deeply surprised by the fact that these nations do not have threats in the form of bad neighbours. Is it because these nations are perpetrators of terror in other parts of the world with export of military equipment to outside militias fighting their Governments? (check out the other graph on how much they make out of arms export to rest of the world)
- Among the compared democracies, Canada offers some restraint in its military expenditure with a value of 4.81, followed by Germany at a distant 3. Still it is something to worry about since none of these nations have major threats expect the perceived threats as a result of “global war on terror”. This psychologically induced factor cannot be a reason for such military spending.
- I have included India as a sample comparison on where it stands with other powerful economies. India’s educational-to-military expenditure value of 1.28 is also quite worrisome. NOTE: It does have a territory dispute with its neighbours, Pakistan and China. Infiltration issues with Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.
Countrywise breakup of military exports
NOTE: [From the source] “Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.”
BTW, a much better article that I can refer you to: http://www.globalissues.org/print/article/75
References:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mil_arm_exp_con_1990_us-arms-exports-constant-1990-us&date=2005