[posterchild]

I never understood the delusion that destruction of useful things produces prosperity by their direct replacement (not to be confused with upgrades, tearing down an aging building with a better one, etc). I won’t become prosperous if every monday wednesday and friday I dig a hole, and on tuesday, thursday, and saturday fill it back in.

Similarly I recall an article in Forbes some years ago claiming that the refugees in Germany were good for the economy as they will get government money to spend at shops, etc. ...as if the germans weren’t capable of spending their own money.

[mewzilla]

People need to ask cui bono.

Usually it’s Deep State.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I won’t become prosperous if every monday wednesday and friday I dig a hole, and on tuesday, thursday, and saturday fill it back in.”

You’re gonna be in big trouble talking like that! That’s Mother Government’s, ‘path to prosperity’ for all of us. ;)

[Rockingham]

Rebuilding booms can and do take place, with benefits to a local economy even though much of the cost of rebuilding is carried by the larger society. Florida regularly sees this after hurricanes.

In addition, losing a war may lead to better economic circumstances for a society in the form of peace, the cancellation of the debts of the prior regime, and the installation of a better regime that fosters rebuilding and economic growth with a small military establishment. Germany and Japan both experienced this after WW II.