Is War Necessary for Economic Growth?: Military Procurement and Technology Development

Ruttan studies five technologies, machine tools and mass production, airplanes, nuclear power, space travel, and computers, showing the pivotal role that the military played in each of these. Ruttan writes well and easily, and explores unknown facets of these technologies, but I have two problems. First, this book dates from 2006, but seems much older. Nothing much has changed since the mid-90s, apparently. Secondly, while military funding has driven technologies, it’s unclear if this is the best way, or even a good way to stimulate innovation and the economy. The military provides an alternate set of values, beyond a short-sighted profit motive, but shouldn’t we have higher values as a nation than force?

A good book to use on people who say that the government has no role in innovation, but not essential.