2007-12-19 02:27:13 · 16 answers · asked by alphabetsoup2 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
“Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime, or indeed by the fighting men of World War II or Korea.
Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.” - Eisenhower, 1960
2007-12-19 02:57:33 · answer #1 · answered by zero 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
~1945 we became a real world superpower, and it was all due to military might and the military industrial complex. I think the fact we remain a superpower is due to that. We're not really a militaristic culture though, seeing as how the majority of the population is anti-war. We just have a large and powerful military. A militaristic culture would have a draft, military parades, and everyone waving flags for America.
2007-12-19 02:33:09 · answer #2 · answered by Pfo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You could say the build up during the cold war.
But I think we were militaristic before then, we're just not really taught history prior to 1945 other than the Revolutionary and Civil War periods.
2007-12-19 02:30:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because of the atom bomb. Before nuclear weapons were invented we were all capable or killing each other slowly but surely. Since 1945 we are now capable of destroying the entire planet with just a few hydrogen bombs.
All the more reason to keep insane leaders out of the White House.
2007-12-19 02:38:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because, for better or worse, since WWII America has become the defender of the free world.
2007-12-19 02:31:49 · answer #5 · answered by The emperor has no clothes 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe Dwight Eisenhower called it the military industrial complex. There's lots of money to be made supplying the army with the tools of the trade.
2007-12-19 02:30:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
America wanted to maintain is superpower status turning it to be militaristic and even imperialistic.
2007-12-19 02:31:13 · answer #7 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Any references for that assumption? The US Military has continually dropped in size since WWII and during the last Administration, some Military was offered money to leave!
2007-12-19 02:30:54 · answer #8 · answered by Guessses, A.R.T. 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Well i will admit as an American man I love guns...nice shiny guns that make big explosions.
I know it is not refined to admit it but I do...and I think this fuels our militant thinking
2007-12-19 02:47:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is imperative in this world of thugs and psychos that a strong country have a strong military!
2007-12-19 02:35:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋