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# Military Defense Expense

## Definition

The substantial cost of maintaining armed forces to protect colonies from foreign invasion and internal rebellion, including regular troops, naval forces, and occasional war expenditures. This expense fell almost entirely on the mother country despite the colonies being the primary beneficiaries of protection.

## Source Chapter

Book IV, Chapter 7

## Context

Smith argues that military defense represents the true cost of empire, far exceeding the benefits derived from colonial monopolies. He uses this analysis to demonstrate that the current system unfairly burdens Britain while providing colonies with protection without corresponding financial contribution.

## Economic Domain

Regulation

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