Final answer:
The proposed action of 'Reduction of armaments' describes the decrease in weapons and armies across all countries, aiming to reduce the chance of conflict and promote global stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'Reduction of armaments' refers to the decrease in weapons and armies across all countries. This action is the opposite of militarism, which is the build-up of military strength as seen in historic arms races, such as the naval race between Great Britain and Germany prior to World War I. The proposed action aims to decrease the likelihood of conflict by eliminating the excessive military capabilities that may encourage nations to engage in acts of aggression.
For example, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the United States and the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War was an agreement to reduce nuclear armaments by over 80 percent. This effort was part of a broader movement towards building stability and peace through mutual disarmament and balancing global power, rather than threatening each other with overwhelmingly destructive weapons. The concept of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) during the Cold War also illustrates how the existence of large arsenals was eventually viewed as a deterrent, but at the same time, the arms race was a perilous path that could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is D) Decrease in weapons and armies across all countries, which best describes the proposed action of 'Reduction of armaments'.