Learn Arms

Every democracy must be well armed for four reasons. The first reason is that simply because a nation is ruled by its citizens sharing an equal role in its governing laws and statutes does not magically protect that nation from attacks by other nations, some of which might also be democratic. Athens is the first democracy that is usually set up as a model for other democracies. Although it was ruled by a Senate of officials chosen by the citizens of Athens, Athens was attacked repeatedly by countries as far away as Persia and as close as Sparta.

The second reason that every democracy must be well armed is that revolts occur within a country by those who may resent the present form of government. There were those in Athens who were envious of the prestige and what they viewed as more favorable situations within the governing body of the democratically chosen Senate. Wars were often settled by the armies of wealthy and influential senators to jockey for control of the Senate. That is simply the course of human nature regardless of the political structure that it finds itself existing as a governing body. A well armed army that can be sent by the elected officials of the democracy to fight off attacks from private armies kept by wealthy citizens is necessary for the preservation of the internal structure of a democracy.

The third reason is that the interests of a democracy might mean an attack on another country to protect the rights and lives of its citizens who might be working at trades and on merchant ships. Protecting one’s citizens is a requisite of all nations whether democratic or not. A well armed military that can be sent to free citizens held hostage or to allow access to the nation’s ships in waterways that are, obviously, shared by all nations is necessary for the financial interests of the country, even a democracy.

The fourth reason why every democracy must be well armed is to prepare itself for every possible threat to its existence by keeping a standing army that can attract new members who can be trained and prepared to protect and to maintain the democracy in all of its roles. A well armed military is not a hastily rounded up group of citizens rushing to protect its borders from raiders. A well armed military is an institution that must be kept to insure the existence of the democracy in a world that does not guarantee your existence simply because you are a democracy.