Statement
Backgrounder on A Peace Economy: Rebalancing Spending Priorities, September 2015 PDF
A Peace Economy: Rebalancing Spending Priorities PDF
This backgrounder states that current U.S. federal discretionary spending is heavily imbalanced, with over half devoted to military purposes, leaving inadequate resources for domestic and international programs that reduce poverty and promote human development. This imbalance harms vulnerable populations—especially women and children—and stands in contrast to U.S. allies, since the United States spends more on defense than the next ten countries combined.
While nations must ensure security, they also carry moral responsibilities to support human development, protect the environment, foster global cooperation, and promote the common good. When military spending crowds out essential social programs, serious moral concerns arise.
Catholic social teaching emphasizes the dangers of the arms race, the need for global development to prevent conflict, and the moral duty for governments to allocate resources with justice, solidarity, and attention to the poor and families. Authors from Vatican II, Saint John Paul II, the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, and Pope Francis all call for responsible political leadership and prioritization of human well-being over military expansion.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) maintains that federal budgets reflect national values and must meet moral criteria. They advocate shared sacrifice, reduced unnecessary military spending, adequate revenues, and protection of essential services for the poor. Defense policies, they argue, must be judged by their real contribution to freedom, justice, and peace—not by economic interests or the pursuit of arms.