Modern Monarchs
By Dr. Nelson Kattikat
In the past, the world was ruled by kings and monarchs. We’ve all heard of Alexander the Great, the queens of royal families, the King of Saudi Arabia, the Tsars of Russia, and the monarchs of France. These rulers held immense power. For centuries, they suppressed democracy and ruled with an iron fist, often killing those who dared to oppose them.
At that time, hardly anyone believed it was possible to escape their autocratic control. But over time, human consciousness evolved. The ideas of freedom and equality began to spread. Movements like the French Revolution sparked a shift toward democracy. We learned that, through public awareness and collective will, even the most deeply rooted systems of oppression could be challenged and changed.
I bring up these kings to draw a parallel with today’s powerful weapon lobbies and arms manufacturers. These large corporations, run by wealthy businessmen, are the modern-day kings. In countries like the United States—considered a beacon of development—there are still tragic mass shootings, even in schools.
We know that American weapon manufacturers export arms across the globe. In places like Afghanistan, tribal communities with no technological capacity to build weapons are somehow using AK-47s against foreign forces. In Africa, people struggling without basic needs like food, water, or education are fighting each other with modern firearms—tools they could never produce themselves. Where are these weapons coming from?
In every modern war, we see new weapons—more advanced, more destructive. War itself has evolved; it’s no longer just conflict—it’s become a tool for exerting power. From the Ukraine–Russia war to the Israel–Iran conflict, we must ask: Who is supplying the weapons?
We all recognize that it’s time to stop this cycle of violence and war. Weapons have become a menace to global society. But who will stop the production of arms? Do we really expect the massive defense companies to stop simply because their products cause death and destruction?
Just like we did with the monarchs of the past, we must raise public awareness. Public education, coordinated activism, and creative policy (e.g., incentivised divestment) are crucial to counter these “modern kings” and transform weapon-centric economies toward peace and human development.
Back then, we stripped kings of their unchecked power, offered them symbolic roles, and gave them ‘pensions’ by modern government system. Similarly, maybe it’s time we offer a kind of ‘pension’ to the arms industry—an incentive for the owners and their future generations to live comfortably without manufacturing weapons. We must transition toward a world of peace, cooperation, and shared progress without weapons of mal motivated companies 🙏.
(🔫 The Hidden Monarchs:
- Global Scale & Economic Profile
Metric 2023 Data
Worldwide military expenditure $2.44 trillion
Total revenue of top 100 arms companies $632 billion (4.2% increase YOY)
Top 25 companies’ arms sales $445 billion (+3.6% from 2022)
Global arms industry valuation ~$475 billion
Analysis:
This concentration shows that a small number of corporations dominate revenues and influence—akin to modern monarchs.
- Major Players: The New “Kings”
Top arms manufacturers by 2023 arms revenue (SIPRI figures):
- Lockheed Martin — $60.8 B (90% from defense)
- RTX Corporation — $40.7 B
- Northrop Grumman — $35.6 B
- Boeing — $31.1 B
- General Dynamics — $30.2 B
Other significant names include BAE Systems, Rostec (Russia), Norinco & CASIC (China), L3Harris, Airbus, Leonardo .
Lockheed Martin develops F‑35s, Patriots, missiles, satellites .
General Dynamics supplies tanks, submarines, combat vehicles, and tech services .
- Export Power & Geopolitical Reach
The U.S. accounts for ~43% of global arms exports (past 5 years); France is second (~10%) .
U.S. defense companies amassed $317 B, a 2.5% rise on 2022 .
Between 2020–2024, U.S. exports grew ~20%, largely due to Ukraine conflict .)
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16xhHryYd8
whisperer 