A government has a responsibility to its citizens to ensure their safety. Therefore, some people think that the government should increase spending on defense but spend less on social benefits. To what extent do you agree?

Ensuring citizens safety is a

government

's responsibility. Because of

this

, Some people believe that the

government

should raise

defence

spending, and decrease spending on social

benefits

.

This

is a recipe for disaster because a reduction in social

benefits

has a negative effect on the growth of the economy and increases the chances to be involved or start a war.

This

essay is going to explain in detail the reasons behind

this

.

Firstly

, a reduction in social

benefits

for an increase in

defence

funds will slow the economy down, which in real terms means fewer jobs, higher unemployment, more families living below the poverty line, less technological advancement to mention a few, while creating the perfect conditions for criminal organisations to get new recruits among the large number of people living in despair.

For instance

, studies show that 1% more spent on

defence

is a 9% reduction in economic growth, which will make the population more vulnerable and less secure. 

Secondly

, nations that spend more money in

defence

are more likely to be involved in an armed conflict, which can cause the deaths of several people, increase the fret of terrorism,

therefore

citizens safety is compromised.

For example

, the USA is the country with the highest

defence

spending in the world,

however

instead

of security is continuously involved in long and devastating wars and has experienced several terrorist attacks. The more money in

defence

, the less security a nation ends with.  To conclude, it is true that a

government

is responsible for the safety of its citizens,

however

, I do not agree with those who say that the

government

should increase spending on

defence

and spend less on social

benefits

because it would have the opposite effect caused by a fall in the country's development and opportunities for the population.