A better way to wage war?

[sms001]

It wouldn't be diplomatic. In short, if the US (or other major economic powerhouse) wanted to invade a

There's a great science fiction story whose name and author escape me at the moment (But seems very Vonneguttian - I'll try to track it down.) where the U.S., instead of bombs, drops consumer goods on a country. The premise was essentially the same as yours: raise the standard of living, create a demand for commerce, and the hearts and souls will follow. I personally would LOVE to see a saturation bombing of an antagonist with OLPCs, coffee makers, and small arms for a couple of months before "real" hostilities. If the populace doesn't REALLY want to shift paradigms, nothing will make them, and your idea seems like a good litmus.