War profiteering: Thomas Paine’s 200-year-old warning

Thomas Paine’s thoughts on countries profiting from wars are still relevant today.

Written almost 200 years ago, his words highlight the greed of countries that seek profits from wars. 

Paine (1737-1809) was an English-born American founding father, political activist and philosopher.

We know that the present Joe Biden administration has poured billions of dollars into the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

This enormous sum has filled up the coffers of huge US arm manufacturers. So, the US military-industrial complex does not want peace as peace does not profit those involved.

Here is the part in Paine’s preface to the French edition of the Rights of Man in 1791 that says it all:  

The English government [the superpower of the day] presents, just now, a curious phenomenon. 

Seeing that the French and English nations are getting rid of the prejudices and false notions formerly entertained against each other, and which have cost them so much money, that government seems to be placarding its need of a foe; for unless it finds one somewhere, no pretext exists for the enormous revenue and taxation now deemed necessary.

Therefore, it seeks in Russia the enemy it has lost in France, and appears to say to the universe, or to say to itself. “If nobody will be so kind as to become my foe, I shall need no more fleets nor armies, and shall be forced to reduce my taxes. The American war enabled me to double the taxes; the Dutch business to add more; the Nootka humbug gave me a pretext for raising three million sterling more; but unless I can make an enemy of Russia the harvest from wars will end. I was the first to incite Turk against Russian, and now I hope to reap a fresh crop of taxes.

If the miseries of war, and the flood of evils it spreads over a country, did not check all inclination to mirth, and turn laughter into grief, the frantic conduct of the government of England would only excite ridicule.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
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