Have you ever wondered who profits from war in the end? What if the biggest winners aren’t on the battlefield but in boardrooms?
You’re about to discover the sad truth about war profiteering. War Is a Racket by General Smedley D. Butler exposes how corporations and financiers have reaped enormous wealth from conflict throughout history.
Prepare to have your eyes opened as you dive into the hidden economics of war.
Who Makes Money From War?
The repercussions of conflict extend through economies and industries, resulting in the enrichment of a select few while the majority bear the cost. A scrutiny of the financial gains amassed by corporations and industrial tycoons during periods of military conflict reveals their substantial economic expansion in times of war. This raises the critical question of who profits from war, as it becomes evident that certain entities benefit significantly from these devastating global events.
The period of World War I exemplifies the capacity of certain sectors to accumulate significant earnings from participation in war activities. During the conflict, the United States witnessed a substantial increase in wealth among a small group, with more than twenty-one thousand people amassing fortunes that soared into the multi-million or billion-dollar range. Certain industries, including those producing munitions, providing financial services, constructing ships, manufacturing goods, processing meat, and engaging in speculative ventures, undoubtedly prospered, witnessing substantial growth in their economic profits.
The persistent expansion of defense-related operations has consistently been beneficial for producers and vendors, indicating that the pattern of reaping substantial profits is firmly established.
Corporations
The war significantly boosted the earnings of companies producing goods for military use. For instance, the DuPont family, known for their involvement in the production of weapons and chemical products, witnessed their average income skyrocket to an impressive $58 million during the war, up from $6 million annually before the hostilities began, showcasing a profit surge that exceeded their pre-war earnings by over ninefold. During the wartime period, Bethlehem Steel’s yearly earnings soared from an average of $6 million before the war to $49 million. During the conflict, the annual profits of US Steel surged from a pre-war yearly average of around $105 million to $240 million.
The industries engaged in supplying and constructing for the military have established an economic system that benefits from conflict. The government’s expenditures on the war amounted to $52 billion, with $39 billion directed towards combat operations, which in turn allowed industries to amass profits of $16 billion. Additionally, businesses are financially incentivized to support defense policies leading to increased spending, as demonstrated by the significant financial gains associated with the expansion of naval power. Military procurement strategies have convinced corporate leaders that conflict represents a growing opportunity for business.
The administrative division of the military orchestrates supply contracts for future conflicts, underscoring the inherent profit-driven framework, further emphasized by the consolidation and integration of state militias. Overall, this economic dynamic unveils a deep-rooted inclination towards the growth of armaments, indicating not just a recurring historical theme but also possible forthcoming tendencies in the economics of conflict.
Financiers
Throughout the time of heightened military conflict, the banking sector experienced substantial gains as a result of an increased demand for financial capital and loans. The income of these financiers was substantial and largely kept private, as they operated as partnerships without the requirement to disclose their financial performance, thereby maintaining secrecy about the exact figures.
