The Price of Strife: An International View on Military Expenditure and Leadership Dilemmas
A global spending on military forces has reached unprecedented levels. With a year-on-year growth rate of 9%, the worldwide military budget for 2023 amounted to $2.2 trillion. This amount exceeds the entire GDP, Gross Domestic Product, of my home country, Brazil, which stands at $10 trillion. This stark contrast emphasizes the pervasive tension in various regions, illustrating how the global geopolitical landscape is currently dominated by such concerns.
Freedom is often cited as the justification for these investments, but when examining most of the wars of the 1900s and 2000s, it becomes challenging to identify compelling reasons. At least, the reasons are not transparent, as many undisclosed business and political motives appear to be predominant behind the scenes. The underlying dilemma is that while wars may seem necessary at times, they also represent a squandering of resources and human lives driven by the self-serving interests of leaders with personal or business agendas.
My humble understanding points to the root issue of these wars being the leaders who prioritize their personal and/or business desires and interests over the well-being of the people. The loss of lives and financial resources seems to occur without tangible benefits for the populace, using the excuse of noble causes that may not be the true reasons behind the conflicts. Essentially, what is needed are selfless leaders—individuals dedicated to working for the people rather than pursuing their own interests. In the current world marked by conflict, only a handful, perhaps even just one, may genuinely embody the concept of true freedom.
Examining this reality prompts us to recognize the imperative of investing in leadership, starting from early ages up to the current leaders at the helm. What we require are more leaders with a Christ-centered approach, individuals dedicated to advancing God's Kingdom through the cultivation of servant leadership. Such leaders prioritize the needs of their teams while the organization mission has been accomplished, actively supporting, and fostering both the growth and success of those they lead.
Unfortunately, this challenge is not confined to the context of war; it extends into both For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations. Some leaders still perceive leadership as a pursuit of position, driven by personal desires and self-centered decision-making. In general, this situation doesn't entail the swift depletion of resources and loss of human lives characteristic of war. However, it undeniably and gradually contributes to financial, physical, and mental health issues, slowly eroding the well-being of individuals.
How could leaders and their organizations be impacted if the focus transitioned from the pursuit of personal success and recognition to embracing a more prayerful approach aligned with Christ-centered leadership?
Eduardo Mendes
Founder and President
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