Sun 26 Nov 2006
Documentary: Why We (USA) Fight and the Military Industrial Complex
Posted by Farshid under Reviews , Personal ThoughtsInteresting documentary where lots of different theories are being presented. But the one thing I did find particularly interesting was the analysis of the Military industrial complex.
The term first was used in president Eisenhower’s farewell speech where he warned of the too significant of a role that the department of defense has come to play and the amount of resources that it uses for its purpose. “Iron Triangle” which is another similar term used for this concept refers to an institutionalised collusion among defense contractors, The Pentagon , and the United States government, where these three ensure to create a permanent war economy, which in a nutshell states that since productivity of the nation is higher than normal during war (at least during WWII), the economy cannot be allowed to return to a civilian economy.
As a result the defense is heavily dependant on the industry (defense contractors) and it needs to secure a steady stream of revenue from the government to be able to support this model, something that is seen a heavily against the public interest. Very interesting movie and definitely worth seeing.
December 30th, 2006 at 8:00 am
There are good points in your article. I would like to supplement them with some information:
I am a 2 tour Vietnam Veteran who recently retired after 36 years of working in the Defense Industrial Complex on many of the weapons systems being used by our forces as we speak.
If you are interested in a view of the inside of the Pentagon procurement process from Vietnam to Iraq please check the posting at my blog entitled, “Odyssey of Armaments”
http://rosecoveredglasses.blogspot.com/2006/11/odyssey-of-armaments.html
The Pentagon is a giant, incredibly complex establishment, budgeted in excess of $500B per year. The Rumsfelds, the Administrations and the Congressmen come and go but the real machinery of policy and procurement keeps grinding away, presenting the politicos who arrive with detail and alternatives slanted to perpetuate itself.
How can any newcomer, be he a President, a Congressman or even the new Sec. Def.Mr. Gates, understand such complexity, particularly if heretofore he has not had the clearance to get the full details?
Answer- he can’t. Therefore he accepts the alternatives provided by the career establishment that never goes away and he hopes he makes the right choices. Or he is influenced by a lobbyist or two representing companies in his district or special interest groups.
From a practical standpoint, policy and war decisions are made far below the levels of the talking heads who take the heat or the credit for the results.
This situation is unfortunate but it is absolute fact. Take it from one who has been to war and worked in the establishment.
This giant policy making and war machine will eventually come apart and have to be put back together to operate smaller, leaner and on less fuel. But that won’t happen until it hits a brick wall at high speed.
We will then have to run a Volkswagen instead of a Caddy and get along somehow. We better start practicing now and get off our high horse. Our golden aura in the world is beginning to dull from arrogance.