Skewed priorities - The price of power

HUGE numbers of people in the developed world have had to face up to changed circumstances.

The struggling millions in the developing world found their situations even more difficult than usual. Hunger and disease, ignorance and the lack of opportunity continue to exact a lethal toll on millions upon millions of lives.

Yet, despite all of this misery world military spending almost doubled in the past decade to reach €1.25 trillion. Even though this figure might provoke a simplistic response, it is hard not to be disturbed by this disparity and wonder what good, what tremendous change might be achieved by such staggering resources. Fear, and the pursuit of power, do indeed exact a heavy toll.