Can Global Peace Be Achieved in a World Prioritizing Weapons and Defense Policies?

Introduction

Achieving global peace remains one of the most pressing goals of modern society. Yet, many nations prioritize military spending, arms development, and weapon sales as core elements of their economies and policies. These actions often raise the question: Can global peace be realized when economies depend heavily on defense industries, and policies are shaped by military interests? To explore this, we will apply insights from the Price-Oquindo Dynamic Threat Mitigation (DTM™) model and The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™ to provide solutions for peace in a militarized world.

The Role of Weapon Systems in Modern Economies

The global arms trade plays a central role in the economies of many nations, especially those among the top defense exporters. The United States, China, and Russia, for example, generate billions of dollars annually through arms sales to both allies and strategic partners. These industries do not just create jobs; they influence political decision-making and strategic policies that favor military strength over diplomatic solutions (SIPRI, 2023). Defense industries maintain significant sway over national and international policies, fostering a perpetual arms race and deterring efforts aimed at de-escalation and peace.

This phenomenon directly ties to Todd Price’s “Law of the Battlefield” and “Law of Leadership” from The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™, which emphasizes that military strength often dominates leadership strategies. Leaders often resort to maintaining or enhancing their military capacities to remain competitive on the global stage, reinforcing a cycle of conflict preparation over peacebuilding efforts (Price, 2024). The continuous expansion of military power hinders diplomatic approaches, limiting opportunities for peaceful conflict resolution.

Military-Driven Policy and Its Impact on Violence

Prioritizing military development often results in the neglect of non-military solutions, such as addressing socio-economic inequalities and political instability. Terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda exploit political instability, poverty, and disenfranchisement to recruit members (Neumann, 2017). In such contexts, the DTM™ model can help address these root causes of violence by highlighting the importance of addressing socio-economic disparities and political instability as central drivers of conflict (Price & Oquindo, 2024).

One key element of the DTM™ model is socio-economic status (SES), which terrorist groups often exploit to recruit individuals from impoverished or disenfranchised populations. Economic disparities create vulnerabilities that extremist groups target, promising security and financial stability where governments fail. By addressing SES through targeted economic aid, education, and employment opportunities, nations can reduce the pool of individuals susceptible to radicalization (Stern & Berger, 2015).

DTM™ Solutions for Reducing Violence

To reduce global violence, the DTM™ model emphasizes several interconnected factors:

1. Socio-Economic Status (SES): Governments should prioritize reducing economic disparities by providing job opportunities, increasing access to basic services, and investing in local economies. Policies focusing on poverty alleviation and economic inclusion can reduce recruitment to extremist causes (Price & Oquindo, 2024).

2. Political Instability (PI): Political instability creates a fertile ground for terrorist organizations and extremist ideologies. Strengthening governance structures, improving transparency, and investing in peacebuilding initiatives are essential. The “Law of Focus” from Price’s book underscores the need for nations to concentrate resources on building strong, stable governance systems rather than dispersing efforts across military operations, ensuring long-term political stability (Price, 2024).

3. Ideological Extremism (IE): The rise of extremist ideologies is fueled by propaganda and misinformation. Counter-ideological campaigns, combined with education programs that promote critical thinking and tolerance, can weaken extremist narratives. Education plays a critical role in preventing individuals from being drawn into extremist ideologies (UNESCO, 2019).

4. Social Disenfranchisement (SD): Marginalized communities often feel excluded from the political and social mainstream. Nations should promote inclusion through policies that ensure fair representation, equal access to services, and anti-discrimination laws. The “Law of Perception” from Price’s work stresses that how marginalized groups perceive their role in society shapes their likelihood to support or resist the state. Addressing disenfranchisement reduces the likelihood of social unrest and violence (Price, 2024).

5. External Influence (EI): Terrorist organizations frequently rely on external funding, often sourced from foreign governments, private donors, or black markets. International cooperation to enforce sanctions and disrupt these financial networks is vital. By cutting off external support, nations can significantly weaken the operational capacities of terrorist groups (Perlo-Freeman, 2021).

Education, Economic Empowerment, and Peace

Education and economic empowerment stand as foundational pillars for long-term peace. Studies show that providing individuals with access to education and economic opportunities significantly reduces the risk of them joining extremist groups (UNESCO, 2019). By investing in education, particularly in conflict-prone areas, nations can develop a more resilient population capable of resisting extremist ideologies.

Educational programs should emphasize critical thinking, tolerance, and cross-cultural understanding to counteract the spread of radical ideologies. The “Law of Attributes” in The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™ suggests that nations should leverage their unique attributes, such as cultural diversity, to build inclusive societies. By fostering diversity and inclusiveness, nations can reduce the appeal of violence and promote long-term peace (Price, 2024).

Economic empowerment also plays a key role in countering violence. Creating jobs, improving access to basic services, and investing in infrastructure can reduce the pool of disenfranchised individuals susceptible to radicalization (Stern & Berger, 2015). Governments should focus on creating inclusive economic policies that empower all citizens, particularly those in marginalized communities.

Solutions for Weapon Prioritization and Global Peace

While the global arms race poses significant challenges, peace remains possible through the strategic application of the DTM™ model and a shift in policy focus. Nations must shift resources from weapon development to addressing socio-economic inequalities, promoting political stability, and fostering education and inclusion.

The “Law of Sacrifice” from The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™ argues that achieving long-term peace may require short-term sacrifices, such as reducing arms production in favor of social investment (Price, 2024). By rebalancing national priorities to include non-military solutions, nations can create environments where peace, rather than conflict, flourishes.

Conclusion

Global peace is achievable, but it requires a rethinking of national priorities. The DTM™ model offers a comprehensive framework for addressing the root causes of violence by focusing on socio-economic development, political stability, education, and social inclusion. Additionally, insights from The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™ highlight the need for focused leadership and the strategic use of national resources to foster peace rather than perpetuate conflict. While weapon prioritization presents a significant barrier, shifting toward socio-economic and political solutions can significantly reduce violence and create lasting global peace.

References

Neumann, P. R., 2017. Radicalized: New Jihadists and the Threat to the West. London: I.B. Tauris.

Perlo-Freeman, S., 2021. The Business of War: How Private Military Companies and the Arms Industry Impact World Peace. London: Zed Books.

Price, T. M., 2024. The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™. Central Point, OR: Global Counter-Terrorism Institute.

Price, T. M. & Oquindo, A., 2024. AI Predictive Modeling System for Terrorism Risk Assessment [Patent application]. United States Patent and Trademark Office.

SIPRI, 2023. The SIPRI Arms Industry Database. Available at: https://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/arms-industry.

Stern, J. & Berger, J. M., 2015. ISIS: The State of Terror. New York: Ecco.

UNESCO, 2019. Global Education Monitoring Report 2019: Migration, Displacement and Education: Building Bridges, Not Walls. Paris: UNESCO.

Trademark and Copyright Statement

Price-Oquindo DTM™ and The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™ are trademarks of Todd M. Price and Amber Oquindo. All rights reserved.

© 2024 Todd M. Price and Amber Oquindo. The content, models, and proprietary frameworks discussed in this document, including the Price-Oquindo DTM™ model and The 25 Immutable Laws of Geopolitical Strategy™, are protected under international copyright and intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this material, including its models and methodologies, without explicit permission from the copyright holders is strictly prohibited.

For licensing inquiries or further information, please contact Todd M. Price and Amber Oquindo via the Global Counter-Terrorism Institute at Todd.price@globalctinstitute.org