The UN’s 193 member nations signed off on a World Peace Treaty (WPT) today disbanding all military forces and re-assigning the annual global military budget of $1.7 trillion to eliminate world poverty, ensure universal primary and secondary education, and avoid calamitous climate change. Officials at the The Pentagon, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are said to be “a bit disappointed”, but are relieved to have more time to “play with the kids”.

Movement and behaviour of different coloured lines over time.  60 Years of US Military (Spending) Dominance by Devin Porter/cc — Movement and behaviour of different coloured lines over time. 60 Years of US Military (Spending) Dominance by Devin Porter/cc

Spokesman for the military-industrial complex John 'Gibbo' Gibbons said “When you’re busy killing well over 200,000 civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, you miss out on some of the more important things in life. I’ve never been to one of my son’s birthday parties for example”.

Although the benefits of the WPT are clear for children of arms manufacturers and military generals, the broader social ramifications are murkier. Health experts warn of the serious psychological effects of long term unemployment for elite military representatives. Psychologist John Rochester has cautioned “These are very powerful figures who derive meaning from wielding the authority to crush entire nation-states. Without this means of control I’m concerned that domestic abuse alone will not satisfy the voracious sadistic appetites of the nation’s military elite.”

The opinions of such experts give pause for thought for social justice reactionaries who have thoughtlessly hailed the WPT as “good news”.