Stop the Arms Race—Build a Peace Economy Now
Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and the growing uncertainty about U.S. commitment to NATO have sent shockwaves through Europe’s defense establishment. In his recent article for Defense One, John R. Deni urges European leaders not to “waste this crisis” and instead consolidate their defense industries into a unified continental war machine. While his analysis highlights a real shift—soaring military budgets and rapid industrial expansion—it also points to a dangerous trend: the continued normalization of war as the default solution to geopolitical instability.
At Peace Economy Project, we believe this crisis should not be used to fuel the arms race, but to transform our understanding of what security truly means.
Redefining Security
Deni argues that Europe’s primary hurdle is not a lack of defense spending or industrial capacity, but fragmentation. He champions the idea of merging national defense champions into powerful continental ones, capable of producing weapons more efficiently and cooperating more seamlessly with NATO. But what’s missing from this narrative is the human cost—not only in conflict zones like Ukraine but across every European and American city where social needs are neglected in favor of growing defense budgets.
Security should not be defined solely by firepower and border patrols. Real security means having strong healthcare systems, accessible education, resilient infrastructure, and well-funded climate mitigation strategies. It means diplomacy, not dominance. Solidarity, not surveillance.
The True Cost of Military Growth
Since 2022, European defense industries have surged. New ammunition factories, missile production lines, and arms exports are booming. Governments have relaxed fiscal rules to accommodate record-breaking military budgets—even at the cost of cutting development aid, as in the case of the United Kingdom.
But every euro spent on war is a euro not spent on peace. Every new missile plant is a missed opportunity to build housing, schools, hospitals, or climate-resilient energy systems.
Let’s be clear: we do not dispute that Ukraine deserves support in the face of aggression. But long-term peace will not be won through weapons alone. It will be built through diplomacy, justice, and mutual disarmament—not just in Eastern Europe, but globally.
Invest in Peace, Not Just Defense
The choice facing Europe—and the United States—is not just how much to spend on defense, but what kind of future we want to build. Will we allow this moment to harden a militarized status quo? Or will we push for a transformation that prioritizes people over power?
At Peace Economy Project, we advocate for a reallocation of resources: from arms to education, from war budgets to wellness, from defense to dignity. We urge Europe to use this crisis not to deepen militarization, but to expand its role as a global leader in peacebuilding, sustainable development, and human rights.
The time to consolidate is now—but let it be a consolidation of peace values, not just weapons contracts.
