The New American Militarism | Andrew Bacevich | Talks at Google

TL;DR

The US has fallen prey to a variant of militarism, with an overemphasis on force and the belief in the efficacy of military power. This ideology has emerged in the decades following the Vietnam War and is at odds with American interests and founding principles. The result is a bloated military budget, overreliance on technology, and a normalization of war.

Transcript

ANDREW BACEVICH: The aim of the book is really quite simple. It invites Americans to consider the possibility that we have, as a nation, fallen prey to a set of attitudes toward war, soldiers, and military institutions that constitute a variant of militarism. The book explains the origins of this new American militarism, new in the sense that these... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ The US has fallen prey to a variant of militarism, with an overemphasis on force and military power.
• 🦕 This militarism emerged in the decades following the Vietnam War and is at odds with American interests and principles.
• 🎖️ The US has a bloated military budget and relies too heavily on technology.
• 😒 The normalization of war and the increased propensity to use force have negative consequences for American society.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main argument of the book?

The book argues that the US has fallen prey to a variant of militarism, with an overemphasis on force and military power. This ideology emerged after the Vietnam War and goes against American interests and principles.

Q: How has this militarism manifested itself?

This militarism is evident in the scope, cost, and configuration of the US military establishment. The US has committed to maintaining military capabilities far beyond what is necessary, with a large and powerful military establishment even in the absence of a grave threat.

Q: What role does technology play in this militarism?

Technology is seen as a panacea, capable of transforming warfare and making it more precise, efficient, and less costly. However, this belief in technology has led to unrealistic expectations and a reliance on costly weapons systems.

Q: What are the consequences of this militarism?

The consequences include a normalization of war, an increased propensity to use force, and a disregard for the consequences of valuing military power for its own sake. This has led to endless wars, a bloated military budget, and an erosion of American principles and interests.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The US has embraced a variant of militarism, with an overemphasis on military power and a belief in the effectiveness of force.

• This ideology emerged in the decades following the Vietnam War and is at odds with American interests and principles.

• The result is a bloated military budget, overreliance on technology, and a normalization of war.