The best way to weather the recession is to get as many
public sector contracts as possible.
The paperwork can be a pain, and delayed payment can be an
even bigger problem than in the private sector, but governments still have
money when no one else has.
Of course, even politicians are now having to talk –
belatedly and unconvincingly – about cutting expenditure.
We will believe that when we see it.
In any event, there is one potential source of income that
will remain reliable no matter how bad things get: global military expenditure
actually increased
last year.
Unhappily, there is no sign of that changing in the near
future. American activity in Afghanistan is increasing, and Pakistan and Iran
appear to be on the edge of civil wars.
There is money to be made from warfare– at least by those
who can reconcile their activity with their moral and political beliefs.
Those who know their Star
Trek will recognise the 34th Ferengi Rule of Acquisition:
“War is good for business”.
That rule is sometimes confused with the 35th
Ferengi Rule of Acquisition: “Peace is good for business”.
Which rule applies depends on what end of a weapon’s life
cycle you happens to find yourself.