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What is the military-industrial complex? Why is the military-industrial complex dangerous? Get the answers to these questions

What Is the Military-Industrial Complex? - A Detailed Answer .rll-youtube-player, [data-lazy-src]{display:none !important;} Skip to content Menu Home Tactical Footwear Tactical Boots Waterproof Lightweight for Hiking for Rucking for Flat Feet for Women Knee Pads Tactical Bags & Packs Tactical Backpacks Small (Compact and lightweight) Under $50 Duffle Bags Messenger Bags Sling Bags Fanny Packs Tactical Lights Headlamps Headlamps (Red Lens) Budget Flashlights Flashlights (Under $50) Self-Defense Flashlights Guides and Reviews Tactical Pants for Hot Weather for Women Tactical Jeans Tactical Belts Tactical Hoodies Tactical Jackets Tactical Vests Tactical Dog Harnesses Tactical Chest Rigs Tactical Hats Tactical Helmets Tactical Wallets Tactical Gloves for Cold Weather Sap Gloves Tactical Sunglasses Tactical Pens With Flashlight Tactical Folding Knives Tactical Binoculars Tactical Crossbows Tactical Seat Covers Soft Rifle Cases First Aid Kits Military Jargons FAQs Thesoldiersproject is supported by its audience. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more What Is the Military-Industrial Complex? – A Detailed Answer January 4, 2023January 2, 2023 Written by Everett Bledsoe / Fact checked by Brain Bartell Amidst Biden’s new foreign policy and military budget proposals, many Americans are skeptical about whether it is necessary to “overspend.” Most of the arguments brought up the MIC, which is an abbreviation for “military-industrial complex.” But what is the military-industrial complex, exactly? We will give you the definition and provide other relevant information below. Continue reading to find out all about this concept. Table of Contents [hide]US Military-Industrial ComplexWho Controls the Military-industrial Complex?What Does the Military-industrial Complex Offer?Military-Industrial-Congressional ComplexWhen Was the Term, “Military-industrial Complex” Used?History of the Military-Industrial Complex1. The 1st Era 2. The 2nd Era 3. The 3rd Era Why Is the Military-industrial Complex Dangerous?Other Problems with MIC & Military-Industrial Complex Companies Conclusion US Military-Industrial Complex First, let’s define the term! Definition – Military-Industrial Complex “Military-industrial complex” is an expression that is used to describe the relationship between the military and the industry of defense that supplies it. The military-industrial complex benefits both the “military” side and the “industrial” side. The former receives equipment necessary for war, while the latter receives multi-million, sometimes even multi-billion dollar deals. Who Controls the Military-industrial Complex? Do not confuse MIC as an organization. Military-industrial complex is a concept. As such, there is no single person controlling it like an organization. MIC, as a concept, refers to a network of individuals and institutions that are involved in the technologies, weapons, vehicles, softwares, platforms, and processes in the military. What Does the Military-industrial Complex Offer? Aside from guns and tankers, the government and military were handing off jobs to the private sector, from administration to maintenance — you name it. General Dynamics, for example, now take on contracts for artificial intelligence, cyberwarfare, and even bookkeeping. The military hires private contractors to supervise the work of other hired private contractors, too! You will also be surprised to learn that many private companies also offer fighting services. As a result, contractors serve as “freelance fighters.” Major ones have their own “armies” that can be rented out to the military. They are sometimes also referred to as mercenaries. We have written a few other articles on private contractors. Check them out here: What is a military contractor? How to become a private military contractor? Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex This term is sometimes expanded to “military-industrial-congressional complex,” where the US congress is added to form a 3-sided relationship, also called an “iron triangle.” In this case, the 3 legs of the “congressional” aspect of MIC are: political contributions political approval for spending on the military political lobbying to support bureaucracies In essence, this term refers to flows of resources and money between defense contractors, which includes corporations and institutions, private military contractors, the Pentagon (headquarters of the military), Congress, and the executive branch. When Was the Term, “Military-industrial Complex” Used? This term was used in (Former) President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Farewell Address on January 17, 1961. Watch him use it in his speech here:  Eisenhower had warned the US public of the increasingly powerful American military-industrial complex and the threat it posed to democracy. At the time, speculations claimed that the term was more ‘war-based’ — war-industrial complex. Eisenhower was particularly concerned about the costs of the ‘arms race’ the US had against the Soviet Union. He believed that resources would be taken from other areas, such as hospitals and schools’ constructions. Thus, he consistently cut the Pentagon’s budget. He wanted to keep to a budget that the nation was able to afford. But he had upset the military, especially the Air Force, with his cuts. Even though Eisenhower’s use of the term is most commonly cited, he was not the person who coined the term military-industrial complex. The term appeared earlier in a 1947 Foreign Affairs article. History of the Military-Industrial Complex The history of the military-industrial complex is divided into 3 eras, as follows: 1. The 1st Era In the beginning, the government depended only on civilian industries. Through the first World War, the government owned all the weapons and shipyard manufacturing facilities. Then during the Second World war, (Former) President Franklin D. Roosevelt coordinated civilian industries to shift to wartime production via the “War Production Board.” American companies continued to expand their defense divisions. Examples include General Motors, General Dynamics, and Boeing. 2. The 2nd Era The military-industrial complex is believed to help advance civilian companies and technology. But at the brink of communism collapse and reducing defense budget, defense contractors were urged to consolidate. After the Korean War and during the Cold War, the military did not deflate its military and troop population like it normally did following wars. 3. The 3rd Era BIg defense companies purchased smaller competitors. Between 1992 and 1997, there was some 55 billion US dollars worth of mergers; defense contractors either turned to civilian innovation or consolidated. The 9/11 attack triggered immense new growth because it launched the country into a condition of “permanent” caution and conflict. Why Is the Military-industrial Complex Dangerous? Today, the MIC is a core component of US policy-making; much of the domestic economy is tied to the success of the MIC. As a result, concerns about the continuing growing-close relationship and unchecked military expansion remain. Compared to the rest of the world, the U.S spent the most money on military and defense. Last year (2020), $778 billion was shelled out, which is still higher than the next 9 countries’ spending combined ($703 billion). In the recent wake of conflicts in Afghanistan, there are many questions raised regarding MIC: Is it normal that about 7 trillion dollars of the Pentagon have been spent on defense contractors since 9/11? And is it a coincidence that dozens of members of Congress and their families have million-dollar stocks in these defense companies? That they frequently leave government posts to lobby on behalf of these defense contractors? It is not difficult to see the problem: decisions about engaging in military conflicts are made by those who benefit from perpetuating these conflicts! And, your tax bills are funding this. So, what can be done about this? What is already being done? In 2019, Senator Elizabeth Warren proposed a scheme prohibiting defense officials from having stocks in defense-contracting companies. They would also have to wait 4 years (at least) to join those companies after departing from the government. At the same time, contractors must disclose their lobbying activities in detail, so they cannot do work that would directly affect their former employers. Earlier this year, a bill was introduced banning Congress members and senior staff from buying or selling stocks while they are still in service. Case in point: there has to be an independent commission to disrupt the insidious relationship between the private sector and the military. Other Problems with MIC & Military-Industrial Complex Companies Another problem is that federal agencies, including the military, run on a use it or lose it model. They spend money on whichever contractor has something to sell so that their budget will not be cut in the following year. For instance, in 2018, the Pentagon used up its money on crabs, lobster tails, and leather chairs (~2.3 million dollars worth of crabs, 2.3 million dollars worth of lobster tails, and 9,341 dollars worth of leather chairs.) Certain defense contractors are a monopoly. This is because they are not outsourced to foreign bidders. Moreover, there are only a few big defense-contracting companies. This means that you cannot browse for better pricing options. Inflated prices and overcharging became the standard. One popular example is Transdigm’s overcharged contract with the Pentagon in 2019 by 4.451%. In addition, recently, lobbyists won the MIC a change in Congress legislation. Contractors, now, are exempted from price-transparency rules that were designed and implemented to protect the public when purchasing goods and services at market value. As mentioned briefly above, contractors are hired to supervise other hired defense contractors. This has led to rampant fraud. Between 2013 and 2017, the DoD held 15 million contracts, which totaled to over $443 billion, and were all contracts that had been convicted of fraud, indicted, or fined. Conclusion Now, you should be well aware of the answer to, “What is the military-industrial complex?” If you have any questions or thoughts about this topic, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below. Otherwise, please help us share this article’s content with other readers, like your friends and family. Thank you in advance! 5/5 - (3 votes) Everett BledsoeI am Everett Bledsoe, taking on the responsibility of content producer for The Soldiers Project. My purpose in this project is to give honest reviews on the gear utilized and tested over time. Of course, you cannot go wrong when checking out our package of information and guide, too, as they come from reliable sources and years of experience. Categories FAQs How to Spot a Military Impostor? – The Most Effective MethodWhat is a Military Challenge Coin? The Answer You’re Looking for About Us For defending purposes, American soldiers are equipped with the most advanced and premium-quality gear available. If you want to hold your equipment to such utmost standards, here is the place to start. You can browse through our list of the thoroughly hand-picked series of gear that is military-complaint. And all the essential accessories are reviewed to support long-lasting maintenance. Check us out! More Related Posts How to Lose Weight for the Military With 3 Simple Steps How to Sew a Patch on a Military Uniform (2 Methods) The Best Tactical Binoculars for Hunting, Surveillance And More How to Change a Watch From Military Time to Standard Time? The Best Small Tactical Backpacks (Compact and lightweight) Which Territorial Acquisition Was The Result of a Rebellion Supported by the U.S. Military? How Do OSHA Standards Apply to the Military? What Kind of Military Strategies Did the North and South Use During the Civil War? 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