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Militarism: Policy solutions

Federal budget

As policymakers look to make steep cuts to anti-poverty and peace programs, many are recommending an increase in military spending. But how much is enough to keep us safe?

Already more than half of our country’s discretionary spending goes to “security.” Instead we must call on our government representatives to use the resources that we have today to help us solve difficult problems and to provide for the wellbeing of future generations.

Nuclear weapons

In 2009 President Obama affirmed his commitment to a nuclear weapons free world in a speech to the United Nations. Passage of the New START treaty in December 2010 was a step in this direction. Ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is the next important step in making this goal a reality.

A supportive Obama administration and significantly increased Senate support make prospects for U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) better than ever before. Since the treaty’s defeat in 1999, many concerns of the CTBT’s detractors have been addressed.

Nuclear testing has been used for more than half a century to intimidate military rivals. U.S. ratification of the CTBT will reinforce the de facto global nuclear test moratorium and diminish the perceived political value of nuclear weapons.

In addition to this decreased political value, a 2004 poll found that 87% of U.S. respondents support this country's ratification of a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons test explosions worldwide. The CTBT has been signed by 180 countries and ratified by 146, including every U.S. ally. In 1999 India and Pakistan expressed a desire to ratify the CTBT, but they walked away when the U.S. Senate rejected it.

In October 1999 the treaty won only 49 of the necessary 67 votes for ratification. With more congressional support and a president willing to promote the treaty, ratification is achievable with a strong and sustained campaign propelled by the grassroots. Contact your senators and encourage them to ratify the CTBT.