The Rise of Militarism in America: A Response to Perceived Threats

Introduction

Militarism is a policy where a country finds it necessary to have a strong army or defense system in preparation for war. Covert activities are activities which a countries government gets involved in but would like to keep a secret. John Friedman, (2005)

Body

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After the bomb, America greatly glorified militarism because they began to realize that they had a great number of enemies who were willing to do anything to finish her off in terms of war. The realization that with their current military power at the time their enemies were still able to get to them simply meant that they had to glorify militarism if they were to be assured of a future. John Friedman, (2005) The extent of militarism in our country is so great as evident from the budget allocations of the government of America which give defense such a big consideration.

In fact the military of the USA was according to one writer considered to have the strength of the 7 countries ranked behind it combined. The country has the best air defense military in the world. America has also invested greatly in science whereby they sponsor companies to come up with new scientific inventions that make their military even more invincible. The bomb was like an awakening. America also became aggressive military wise as they prepared to take on Iraq in war and even North Korea at the slightest hint of defiance towards anti nuclear weapons. John Friedman, (2005)

The issue of militarism should be of concern to all Americans because it means that the country continue to create enemies whom it might not be able to control. As America builds its army, more and more people feel threatened and thus feel provoked even with the slightest suggestion by the American government to any government. In terms of global expansionism, America was able to use its superior military to conquer new grounds for which it could grow its economy as these grounds provided market.

Nuclear weapons became a threat after the bomb. Alexander Cockburn, (1999). The main question here being that if our enemies posses these kind of weapons, how can we be assured of safety if they have already shown their willingness to use anything to finish them off. Hence America fought hard to keep the manufacture of these weapons to a minimum. John Friedman, (2005)This campaign was very sincere to the extent that they said Iraq was making nuclear weapons as an excuse for them to invade Iraq. Alexander Cockburn, (1999)

America also began to engage in covert activities as they tried their best to look diplomatic while still engaging in their “war on terror”. This was a necessary action as they did not want to create more enemies with other threats still pending or rather having not been dealt with. America engaged so deeply in this activity that to this day there are still conspiracies that are still not clear as to whether they were of this government. John Friedman, (2005). For example the 911 attacks on the World Trade Center. Some say it was a government conspiracy so as to get a go ahead with their war on Iraq and the war on terror.

This was because the rest of the world did not support the Americans’ intentions. Hence the argument that by attacking themselves and blaming it on their enemies, they were able to get their way. One of the most clear covert activities that the United States of America engaged in was that of toppling the government of Iraq and creating a new government that will work by its demands. The USA toppled the governance of Saddam Hussein in Iraq with a claim that the country was harboring Al-Qaeda militia that was perceived to be a threat to the USA. Currently the countries army is trained and maintained by the USA.

John Friedman, (2005), Rumors were also widely spread that the Iraqi president Sadam Hussein was planning to have the country working on nuclear energy. In fact, the raid on Iraq may have been mainly centered on this fact. After the raid on Iraq, no nuclear activity was ever found to have taken place in Iraq hence they had to find other excuses as to why they raided the country which included the harboring of the dreaded Al-Qaeda groups that mainly dealt with planning terrorism. This also translates to covert action on the part of USA. John Friedman, (2005)

Global expansionism and militarism have played a key role in post- war America in that after a war the countries economy begins to fall sharply. By global expansionism and militarism the country is able to expand the market for its products and in the process creates trade conditions for competing countries. A good case would be the dominance of American products in the African countries where countries are given conditions for loans and protection.

In the process global sanctions are created that limit upcoming economies e.g. North Korea, China, India etc. This creates a topic of great concern because with this sanctions, defiance arises e.g. in North Korea, and the result is creation of missiles and nuclear weaponry. This poses a great threat to the people of USA security-wise. Alexander Cockburn, (1999)

The CIA has been tactfully used to cause the subversion of political powers. Some examples include: CIA covert activities on Iran, Cuba and Chile include things like information war. It’s better described as a propaganda mission. Iran is mainly being targeted with pro-democracy messages with the hope that the people will at some point create an upraise against the current system of governance so as to get democracy working for them too. In the process the very people America is fighting against will be eliminated without much struggle i.e. by their own hands.

Alexander Cockburn, (1999), In other countries the CIA has secretly involved itself with funding organizations such that these organizations slowly form rebellions against their government. These may include political parties, trade unions and business associations, youth and student organizations, groups e.g. women's groups, civic organizations, religious communities, professional, intellectual and cultural societies, etc. Such rebellions are very handy in toppling governments, dividing and weakening countries. Although they have never quite succeeded in overturning the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba, this has always been their long standing aim. Alexander Cockburn, (1999)

Conclusion

The American government greatly upholds Militarism as the country has many enemies arising from its policies. It also engages in covert activities to be able to exert its influence on other countries of interest because if this were to come out clearly then it would loose the support of the United Nations and would become a public enemy. William Blum, (1995).

References

William Blum, (1995), Killing Hope, published by Common Courage Press
John Friedman, (2005), The secret histories, published by Picador USA

Alexander Cockburn, (1999), Whiteout, published by Verso; New Ed edition

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