military–industrial complex

E2412

The military–industrial complex is the network of relationships between a nation's armed forces, government, and defense industries that drives and benefits from sustained military spending and arms production.

Aliases (3)
  • Cold War military–industrial policy ×1
  • U.S. military–industrial complex ×1
  • military industrial complex ×1

Statements (83)
Predicate Object
instanceOf political concept
power structure
socioeconomic concept
aimsAt expansion of arms markets
institutional self-preservation
sustained high levels of defense spending
technological superiority in warfare
appliesTo United States
other industrialized countries
associatedWith arms races
expansion of national security state
influence over public policy
militarization of foreign policy
overproduction of weapons
threat inflation
war profiteering
benefits defense contractors
military bureaucracies
politicians representing defense-dependent districts
coinedBy Dwight D. Eisenhower
coinedIn 1961
criticizedFor conflicts of interest
corruption risks
distorting democratic decision-making
influencing media narratives about security
lack of transparency
perpetuating armed conflict
prioritizing military solutions over diplomacy
wasteful defense spending
drivenBy economic interests
political interests
strategic interests
fieldOfStudy international relations
political economy
political science
security studies
sociology
hasEffectOn civil–military relations
domestic politics
foreign policy
labor markets in defense-dependent regions
public finances
technological innovation
hasLanguageVariant military industrial complex
military-industrial complex
hasPart aerospace industry
armed forces
arms exporters
defense contractors
defense industry
defense-related labor unions
electronics and cyber defense firms
government
intelligence agencies
legislative committees on defense
lobbying organizations
military research institutions
military technology firms
private military contractors
shipbuilding industry
think tanks
weapons manufacturers
involves arms production
arms trade
campaign contributions from defense firms
classified defense contracts
defense procurement
military lobbying
military spending
national security discourse
revolving door employment between military, government, and industry
security policy making
war planning
weapons research and development
mentionedIn Eisenhower's farewell address
relatedTo arms industry
deep state
defense budget
imperialism
iron triangle (politics)
militarism
national security state
war economy


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