Ian_W
Banned
The richest and often the most democratic and politically stable countries often have the largest militaries. Germany, UK, France, and especially the USA have large militaries. Why doesn't ITTL Argentina? South America is a dangerous place, so Argentina needs to protect itself.
You'll note when the US got rich - the nineteenth and early 20th century - it had a very small military. It's also notable that the period when the US has had a large military has also seen it lose it's world leadership.
Today, Germany is the healthiest of the countries you list. It also has a very small military.