Skip to main content

What are some causes and effects of militarism?

Militarism is caused by a number of different factors.  First, a government may build up its military if it perceives a domestic or foreign threat.  The government will increase military spending to prevent conflict with these groups.  A second reason for military buildups is to increase the potential for expansion.  This imperialist agenda is put forth to increase wealth and resources for a country.  Another reason for militarism is that it may help a country's...

Militarism is caused by a number of different factors.  First, a government may build up its military if it perceives a domestic or foreign threat.  The government will increase military spending to prevent conflict with these groups.  A second reason for military buildups is to increase the potential for expansion.  This imperialist agenda is put forth to increase wealth and resources for a country.  Another reason for militarism is that it may help a country's economy as defense industries benefit from increased military spending, a jobs are created in those fields.


Militarism does have the potential to cause wars between countries, and these wars tend to be very destructive.  This was the case in World War I as European nations spent decades building up their arms, which culminated in a deadly stalemate during the early part of this war.


Another effect of militarism has to do with the economic concept of trade-off or opportunity cost.  As a country spends larger amounts of money on the military, other domestic programs like education and infrastructure development will receive less.  Militarism also has the potential for powerful defense contractors to dictate foreign policy of a nation.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h