Militarism asserts the ideology that the public most benefits from the protections provided by a government’s military. Fueled by fears, nationalism and loyalty to the State, militarism expands its influence by conditioning populations with semantics like we and they, allies and enemies and heroes and martyrs. Altruism propels the reasons for war while soldiers die for “noble causes.”
Militarization, the tool of militarism, promotes the economic objectives and political policies of The State. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth expanded the empire by forming trading companies as an excuse to conquer territories. Followed by military incursions, these first limited liability corporations, together with their military, acquired colonies and disseminated British culture.
The United States has emulated militarization and mercantilism from prior empires. Continuous wars and numerous military interventions attempt to spread American democracy or keep it safe.
More than one thousand American military bases entrench themselves throughout the world. In Iraq and Afghanistan, casualties mount while the military protects oil interests and establishes strategic outposts.
The military owns twenty-five percent of Hawaiian land. Our congressional delegation supports the militarization of Hawaii, proclaiming that military presence promotes economic growth. Instead, costs of living escalate and the ecology becomes destroyed.
Militarism poisons America, inculcating a vocabulary that displays itself in media, daily life and politics. Oppressive legislation, enacted by politicians who generously fund and extol the military, regulates peaceful behavior and commerce. Militarism devalues the individual and glorifies the State. Our consciousness must reverse this process.
Demilitarize America! Vote Libertarian!