As you can see, nobody really listened to what their own former general said, look at where things are now today. The Military Industrial Complex is a term coined by former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address to America on January 17, 1961. He warned of the growing influence of the Military Industrial Complex in American society, and the potential threat it posed to their democracy and to their national economy.
16 April 2023 | Imran Siddiqui | Justice News | Washington D.C.
Dogs of War
So, what exactly is the Military Industrial Complex? It refers to the close relationship between the military and the defense industry and the economic and political power this relationship wields. TheMilitary Industrial Complex is essentially a network of companies, lobbyists, and government agencies that work together to ensure the continued growth of the defense industry at all costs.
The Military Industrial Complex is run and owned by a complex web of individuals, corporations, weapons manufacturers, and government entities. At the core of the complex are the major defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing, who design and manufacture weapons, aircraft, and other military hardware. These companies have enormous political power, as they employ millions of people across the United States and have deep ties to government officials and politicians.
In addition to the defense contractors themselves, there are a number of other key players who benefit from the Military Industrial Complex. These include politicians, lobbyists, and military officials, who are often able to secure lucrative contracts and other forms of government funding for defense contractors and they easily pass through revolving doors in and out of the corporations and government agencies.
The Players
One example of a key player in the Military Industrial Complex is the former Vice President Dick Cheney. Before functioning in government, Cheney was the CEO of Halliburton, a major defense contractor that has received billions of dollars in government contracts over the years. During his time as Vice President, Cheney was a strong advocate for increased military spending and the use of private contractors in the Iraq War.
Another key player in the Military Industrial Complex is the Defense Department itself. The Pentagon is responsible for overseeing the procurement of weapons and other military hardware and is heavily influenced by defense contractors and their lobbyists. The Defense Department has been criticized for its close ties to the defense industry, and for its lack of transparency in the procurement process.
Perhaps the most well-known beneficiary of the Military Industrial Complex is the United States military itself. The military is the largest purchaser of defense products in the world and relies heavily on defense contractors to supply it with everything from fighter jets to bullets.
The Employers
The military is also a major employer, with over 1.3 million active duty personnel and more than 800,000 civilian employees.
The Military Industrial Complex is a powerful and influential force in American society. It has the potential to drive economic growth and create employment but at the cost of war. It also poses a threat to self-governance by the people and can be catastrophic for the economy if left unchecked. As such, it is important for policymakers and the public to closely monitor the activities of the military Industrial Complex, and to ensure that it is operating in the best interests of the people of America and the country as a whole.
What are the main objectives of the Military Industrial Complex and how do they profit from war?
The main objective of the Military Industrial Complex is to create a profitable and sustainable defense industry by providing the military with the equipment, technology, and services they require to perform their duties. The defense contractors, who are the key players in the Military Industrial Complex, profit from war through the sale and financing of their products and services to the military.
There are several ways in which defense contractors profit from war. Foremost, they are paid for the concept, design, manufacture, supply, and deployment of weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment. The more wars and conflicts there are, the greater the demand for these products, which results in higher profits for the contractors.
The defense contractors also provide the military with various services, such as intelligence, logistics, maintenance, and training. These services are often outsourced to private contractors, who can charge a premium for their expertise and services. For example, during the Iraq War, the US government contracted private companies such as Blackwater and Halliburton to provide security and logistical support, resulting in large profits for these companies.
These, defense contractors often invest heavily in research and development to create new products and technologies that can be used by the military. This research can be expensive, but the rewards can be significant if the products are successful. For example, the development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by Lockheed Martin, which cost over $1 trillion, has resulted in huge profits for the company through government contracts and international sales.
The Lobbyists
Eventually, defense contractors also benefit from the lobbying efforts they undertake to influence government policy and secure lucrative contracts. Defense contractors spend billions of dollars every year on lobbying and political campaign contributions to ensure that they have a voice in government decision-making. This lobbying power is also used to shape public opinion and promote the idea that military spending is essential for national security. This continues, as argued by many critics, despite the absence of any sign of imminent threat or danger to the United States.
The Military Industrial Complex is driven by the objective of creating a profitable and sustainable defense industry. Defense contractors profit from war through the manufacture and sale of weapons and other military equipment, the provision of services to the military, the development of new products and technologies, and lobbying efforts to influence government policy. While this profit motive can be beneficial in some respects, it is important to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest and to ensure that the military Industrial Complex is operating in the best interests of the American people and the wider society.
How likely is it for the Military Industrial Complex to continue on the same path it has always been?
Given the economic and political power of the Military Industrial Complex, it is likely that defense contractors will continue to profit from wars today and in the future. The Military Industrial Complex has been deeply entrenched in American society for many decades and has played a significant role in driving economic growth and technological innovation.
However, there is increasing awareness among policymakers and the public of the potential risks and drawbacks of the Military Industrial Complex.
The cost of military spending and the human toll of war is becoming more apparent, and there is a growing movement to reduce military spending and invest in other areas such as nutrition, health, housing, education, and infrastructure.
Furthermore, the rise of new technologies and changing geopolitical dynamics may also impact the future of the Military Industrial Complex. For instance, the increasing use of drones and other unmanned technologies may change the nature of warfare and the types of products and services that are in demand. Similarly, shifting geopolitical relationships and the rise of new powers such as China, Russia, Iran, Brazil, and India may alter the balance of power and influence in the defense industry worldwide.
While it is likely that the Military Industrial Complex will continue to profit from the war in the foreseeable future, there are also factors that may challenge its dominance and prompt changes in the way the defense industry operates. It will be important for policymakers and the public to closely observe, scrutinize and oversee the activities of the military Industrial Complex and to ensure that it is operating in the best interests of the citizens of America and is not being allowed to run like a loose cannon at the cost of trading thousands of lives of American soldiers who died fighting wars that were unjust unprovoked and uncalled for.
How can the military Industrial Complex be stopped from creating wars and profiting from wars?
Containing the Military Industrial Complex from creating, executing, and profiting from wars is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires a range of strategies and approaches. Some possible measures and strategies that could be employed include:
Reducing military spending: It is the money of the people that is being used to encourage this, so one perfect way, to limit the power of the Military Industrial Complex, is to reduce military spending. Start cutting it by half and allocate resources to other areas such as building people's lives, fixing healthcare, a broken education system, and the crippling infrastructure. This could be achieved through political pressure, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns all the way to the ballot box leveraging the voter blocks of your communities.
Strengthening oversight and regulation: Greater oversight and regulation of the defense industry could help to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that military spending is aligned with the national security objectives of America as a whole. This could include measures such as limiting the influence of defense contractors on government decision-making, increasing transparency and accountability, and strengthening laws and regulations to prevent corruption and abuse of power.
Promoting international cooperation: Encouraging greater international cooperation and diplomacy could help to reduce the likelihood of war and limit the demand for military products and services. This could involve promoting dialogue and cooperation between nations, strengthening new and old international institutions, and abiding by their rules. Supporting organizations such as the United Nations which was set up by the United States, to promote conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives.
Encouraging alternative approaches to security: Promoting alternative approaches to security, such as non-military means of conflict resolution, could help to reduce the demand for military products and services. This could include promoting disarmament and arms control, investing in diplomacy and mediation, and promoting sustainable development and economic growth.
Fostering public awareness and engagement: Increasing public awareness and engagement on issues related to the Military Industrial Complex could help to build support for reform and change. This could involve promoting education and awareness campaigns, encouraging public debate and discussion, holding those in charge of these organizations accountable when they abuse power, and supporting the work of civil society organizations and advocacy groups.
Limit the power of the Military Industrial Complex
Though many pacts have been made and some were kept, most of them ended up being broken by either party for whatever reason, ideas are only as good as for those who execute them. Treaties need to be upheld or amended for the mutual benefit of both parties without malice or intent to harm.
Real-life examples of measures and strategies that have been employed to limit the power of the Military Industrial Complex include the following:
The Arms Export Control Act of 1976, which established restrictions on the export of certain military products and services and required greater oversight and reporting of arms sales.
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, which prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in corrupt practices such as bribery and extortion when doing business overseas and with foreign officials.
The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty of 2014, which aims to regulate the international trade in conventional weapons to prevent and eradicate their diversion to illicit markets and human rights abuses.
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a global civil society movement that led to the signing of the Ottawa Treaty in 1997, which banned the production, use, and stockpiling of landmines. Decades later, landmines are still a very big problem.
Treaties have since been largely broken instead of being upheld and wars continue to occur around the world today.
Stopping the Military Industrial Complex from creating and profiting from wars is a tough and demanding task that requires a range of measures and strategies. By reducing military spending, strengthening oversight and regulation, promoting international cooperation and peace, encouraging alternative approaches to security, and fostering public awareness and engagement, it may be possible to limit the power and influence of the defense industry and promote a more peaceful and sustainable world.
What should be the role of the citizens, and the advocates of peace and justice to help stop the Military Industrial Complex from creating wars and profiting from them?
The people, citizens, and advocates of peace and justice have an important role to play in helping to stop the Military Industrial Complex from driving wars and profiting from them. Some ways that individuals and groups can get involved include:
Educating themselves and others: One of the most important ways that individuals can help is by educating themselves and others about the Military Industrial Complex and its impact on society. This could involve outreach campaigns, original content generation, engaging civil society, researching the facts, using available data and articles, attending lectures and events, organizing for change, and sharing information on social media and other platforms to discuss the issue.
Supporting advocacy and activism: Individuals and groups can also get involved in advocacy and activism to promote policies and initiatives that limit the power and influence of the Military Industrial Complex. This could involve contacting elected officials, participating in protests and demonstrations, and supporting organizations and campaigns that work on these issues to strengthen them and their goals of achieving peace.
Promoting alternative approaches to security: Another way that individuals and organizations that claim to stand for peace can help is by promoting alternative approaches to security that prioritize diplomacy, conflict resolution, and human rights. This could involve supporting initiatives that promote disarmament, arms control, and peacebuilding, as well as promoting sustainable development and economic growth.
Holding companies and governments accountable: Individuals and groups can also work to hold companies and governments accountable for their actions related to the Military Industrial Complex. This could involve supporting efforts to increase transparency and accountability in government decision-making, as well as holding companies accountable for their environmental and social impact particularly where human lives are concerned.
Building alliances and coalitions: People and groups can work to build alliances and coalitions with other organizations and groups that are working on these same critical issues. This could involve collaborating with other peace and justice organizations, as well as building bridges with other groups such as environmental organizations, labor unions, and social justice groups.
The people, citizens, and advocates of peace and justice have an important role to play in helping to stop the Military Industrial Complex from promoting wars and profiting from them. By educating themselves and others, supporting peace advocacy and activism, promoting alternative approaches to security, holding companies and governments accountable, and building alliances and coalitions, individuals and groups can help to promote a more friendly and tolerable world.
How can the Military Industrial Complex make money from peace and conflict resolution instead of war and misery?
While the Military Industrial Complex has traditionally profited from war and conflict, there are ways that it could potentially make money from peace and conflict resolution. Here are some examples:
Investment in infrastructure: One way that the military Industrial Complex could make money from peace is by investing in infrastructure projects that support conflict resolution and sustainable development. For example, companies that produce military equipment could shift their focus to producing equipment for disaster relief or environmental cleanup efforts or improving their national communications, high-speed rail, and transportation systems.
Peacekeeping and conflict resolution: The Military Industrial Complex could also shift its focus to providing contractual services related to peacekeeping and conflict resolution. This could involve providing training and support to peacekeeping forces or developing technology that helps to prevent conflict.
Green technologies: Another area where the Military Industrial Complex could potentially make money from peace is by investing in green technologies. For example, defense companies could shift their focus to producing renewable energy technology or developing sustainable air, land, and sea transportation systems and play a role in making travel easier, faster, and cheaper while making billions in revenue each year.
Cybersecurity: As technology becomes more advanced, the need for cybersecurity will continue to grow. The Military Industrial Complex could shift its focus to developing cybersecurity technology and services that help to prevent cyberattacks and protect the sensitive and personal information of its citizens and of the infrastructure.
Humanitarian aid: The Military Industrial Complex could potentially make a lot of money from providing humanitarian aid to communities affected by conflict or disaster. This could involve providing food, shelter, and medical supplies, as well as developing technology and services that help to support communities in crisis.
While the Military Industrial Complex has traditionally profited from war and conflict, there are several ways that it could potentially make money from peace and conflict resolution. By investing in infrastructure, peacekeeping and conflict resolution, renewable technologies, cybersecurity for the people, and worldwide humanitarian aid, the Military Industrial Complex can get all the money they need and at the same time play a positive role in promoting peace and safety in their own country and around the world.
You might ask, will they?
But will you?
| Imran Siddiqui is the managing editor at Justice News and the author of The JBlog. Imran's podcast FairPlay Challenging Wrongful Convictions airs on J107Justice Radio