The United States Is Number 1 On A List You, As A Citizen, Won’t Be Proud Of


American councilmen never miss an opportunity to remind their constituencies, or anyone who is willing to listen, that America is the greatest country in the world. Though there is anecdotal evidence to support that idea, does this claim have an international third-party validation?

Apparently, America as a No. 1 country has been certified by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. However, before wildly waving the Red, White. and Blue, please consider this; the research institute has accorded the numero uno spot in the list for countries most eager to wage a war.

The report, titled ‘Trends in world military expenditure, 2013,” claims that when it comes to violence and preparations for violence, the United States is indeed No. 1. The U.S. government accounted for 37 percent of world military expenditures, putting it far ahead of all other nations. What’s equally concerning is that its nearest competitors, China and Russia, accounted for just 11 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

If preparing for war and violence isn’t enough, according to The Economist, America is quite proactive in perpetuating it as well. From 2004 to 2013, the United States was also the No. 1 weapons exporter in the world. Overall, given the U.S. government’s almost incessant series of wars and acts of military intervention since 1941, it seems likely that it surpasses all rivals when it comes to international violence.

Interestingly, while these statistics are pertaining to international violence, the situation back home is equally worthy of concern. The United States has more guns and gun-related deaths than any other country. A study released in late 2013 reported that the United States had 88 guns for every 100 people, and 40 gun-related deaths for every 400,000 people, reported ABC News.

Among the 27 odd developed countries, Americans own more guns per person than any other country. Britain for example, has six guns per 100 people and a single gun-related death per 400,000 people.

Across the world, guns may not kill as many people as alcohol, tobacco or drugs, but the easy availability of firearms is quite unnerving and, needless to say, America is at the forefront of making these instruments of death and destruction as well as ensuring their widespread distribution and easy availability. Unsurprisingly, it is far easier to procure, own, and maintain a gun in America than it is anywhere else in the world. While it is easier to get an assault rifle in war-torn and impoverished countries, in America it is a legal and publicly accepted norm to own a firearm, and that is the most frightening fact.

[Image Credit | Libcom]

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