Significance of growth in the USA
After the World War II ended, there was a subsequent drop in military spending and many Americans feared that it would bring back the hard times and great depression that they had endured through the war (National Intelligence Council, 2008, 81). Vice versa, the “demand for manufactured products fueled an exceptionally strong economic growth” after the war ended.
The countries gross domestic product grew from 200,000 dollars to a hefty 500,000 dollars within five years. As a result, the US increased defense mechanisms to a high level and tightened both internal and external security. Indeed, the treasury has pumped more money into the military and internal security organs to safeguard the country’s boarders.
Significance of the economic interchange and dependency
The United States created a system of economic trade interchange and dependency. This system facilitates the free flow of trade and investment across boarders. As a result, there is an integration of the international economy.
The United States had a very good economy at that time, which brought out the fact that great wealth means good security. With the world’s economic financial crisis rapidly unfolding, issues such as “foreign aid, protectionism, and scarce resources rank as high as military spending in the United States” (National Intelligence Council, 2008, 81).
Effects of dependency on the economic security of USA
Dependence on other countries of the world leads to a chain of deterioration if the economies of other countries suffer. Indeed, this has led policy makers to observe that the economic crisis has replaced terrorism as the primary security concern in the country. This situation is almost similar to a terrorism attack, meaning the security of the United States has been affected greatly by the global economic crisis (Global Strategic Assessment, 2009, 16).
Limitation of funds
The free system of economic interchange and dependency and a limited amount of funds to cover all security systems has caused a wide range of security threats in the country because of free flow of trade. In addition, it has been affected by the free flow of people around the world, which increases terrorism concerns (Steven, 2004, 39). As a developed economy, security issue in the United States as a serious problem. For instance, the department of homeland security was created after the 9/11 bombing in the United States.
Types of security threats
Terrorist attacks
“From the 9/11 bombing and other terrorist attacks on the US, terrorists have typically leveraged limited destruction of life and property into massive economic and social costs” (National Intelligence Council, 2008, 86). By means of threatening of transport, communication, as well as energy, “terrorists have forced the government and the population into costly defensive actions”. As a result, customers shied away from the American market, hence stunting growth.
Food insecurity
The economic meltdown has also caused food insecurity among the American citizens. Almost half of all Americans or 45 percent of the United States population earn enough to cover their basic expenses. They live in a state of economic insecurity, and do not earn for living for them to be able to pay for such expenses as food, health care, or housing, etc. Even the minimum wages puts them beyond the federal poverty level estimated at 22,050 dollars (Global Strategic Assessment, 2009, 27).
Conclusion
The global economic crisis has significantly affected the United States security. In this case, security comes in form of food security as well as physical security off its citizens, agencies, and property. This is a contributing factor to the exposure of its security systems to terrorist organizations.
Bibliography
Global Strategic Assessment. Chapter 1, The Global Redistribution of Economic Power. New York: Institute for National Strategic Studies, 2009.
Morgan, Patrick M. International Security: Problems and Solutions. New York: CQ Press, 2008.
National Intelligence Council. 2008. “Global Trends 2025: A transformed world”. www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_2025_project.html .
Steven, Hook. U.S. Foreign Policy: the paradox of world power. New York: QC Press, 2004.