Constitution of the United States – Preamble: common Defense
“to provide for the common defence”
Such a simple idea, turned complicated as the populations of the world grow and technology becomes more capable and pervasive.
Common defense began as simply repelling invasion and protecting commercial shipping. The threats and responses were fairly simple and obvious.
Things have changed since then. The borders, once vague and distant to most citizens, are now well defined and significant in everyday life. The population of our country has grown to fill the once wide open spaces and stress once plentiful resources.
Where we once depended on the help of powerful allies, we have now become the powerful ally. The diplomacy of common defense has changed. Even the terminology has evolved, from common defense of individual States to national defense of a united country.
The art of warfare has changed dramatically with the ability to kill more efficiently and at greater distance than could have been imagined at our Founding.
No longer is it necessary to invade a country to do it harm. Weapons can be used from a great distance. A small few with potent weapons can cause the harm it once took armies to inflict.
Merely defending our borders is insufficient to the task of the common defense. As force can be projected from a distance, so must our defenses be projected beyond our borders. To do this requires the support of allies and the careful management of the balances of power and influence.
Thus, the national defense now encompasses the collection of Intelligence, the liberal use of Diplomacy, the projection of Military Strength, and the reluctant use of Military Force.
ZeraLand, USA 