Base closures have no significant or lasting regional economic impact

Evidence

However, research about the economic effects of bases in Germany, the United States, and elsewhere consistently shows that the economic benefits of bases are less significant than one might expect. The benefits are enjoyed disproportionately by relatively few individuals and industries, and people tend to ignore a variety of costs associated with bases that significantly decrease their net economic impact. Moreover, bases are an inefficient form of economic investment; often, they actually inhibit more productive and profitable forms of economic activity. Okinawa, for example, remains Japan’s poorest prefecture. The causes of that poverty are complex, but the period of formal U.S. occupation of Okinawa that lasted until 1972 clearly inhibited economic growth. In recent years, as the base presence has declined, Okinawa’s economy has expanded and diversified around tourism, IT, call centers, and logistics. — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 915 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Base closures do not raise local unemployment and can even help it — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 929; Base closures rarely cause the catastrophic economic damage communities fear — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 925; Military bases provide weaker economic benefits than commonly assumed — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 915

Related

• Self-contained bases now leak few dollars into local economies (similarity 0.93)
• Bases bring fewer economic benefits than expected and can inhibit local growth. (similarity 0.91)
• Military bases provide weaker economic benefits than commonly assumed (similarity 0.91)
• Base closures rarely cause the catastrophic economic damage communities fear (similarity 0.91)
• Base closures show no measurable harm to surrounding community economies (similarity 0.89)
• Base closures do not raise local unemployment and can even help it (similarity 0.88)
• Base economies offer locals mostly low-wage jobs while higher-skilled positions go to Americans (similarity 0.86)
• Repurposed bases in Okinawa produce far more economic value than the bases did (similarity 0.86)
• Military occupation of land is a net economic loss for Okinawa (similarity 0.85)
• Self-contained military bases leak little of their spending into local economies. (similarity 0.84)
• Post-Cold War U.S. base closures did not damage Germany’s overall economy (similarity 0.83)
• Base closures abroad tend to be offset by new base construction elsewhere (similarity 0.81)
• US base-building destroyed Okinawa’s farmland economy and left its people in poverty. (similarity 0.81)
• Base land seizures destroyed Okinawa’s farming economy and livelihood. (similarity 0.81)
• Commercial redevelopment of former base land vastly outperforms the base economically (similarity 0.80)

Broader Connections

• Military bases provide weaker economic benefits than commonly assumed #corroborates (0.65) — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 915