Week 7: War & Terrorism Flashcards
Describes an informal alliance between a nation’s military and the defense industry that supplies it, seen together as a vested interest which influences public policy
The friendly interplay of the military, the defense industry, and political leaders, as stated by President Eisenhower
Military-Industrial Complex
The belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
Militarism
This perspective claims that war and terrorism serve several important functions. For example, they increase social solidarity as a society unites to defeat a perceived enemy. Some wars have also helped preserve freedom and democracy
Functionalist
Who was the first sociologist to point out the functionalist perspective and use that war serves for society
Robert E. Park, 1925
What are the main points that Park’s “The Social Function of War”?
- War helps resolve international disputes
- War generates a stronger sense of social bonding and solidarity
- Historically, war has led to the development of the nation-state
- War has helped maintain and establish freedom and democracy
- Weapons research and other types of military research have contributed to scientific and technological development
This perspective argues that war and militarism primarily advance the interests of the military-industrial complex and take billions of dollars from unmet social needs.
Conflict Theory
What are the three primary views on war and terrorism associated under the conflict theory perspective?
- The “power elite” is composed of government, big business, and the military, which together constitute a ruling class that controls society and works for its own interests, not for the interests of the citizenry - C. Wright Mills
- Imperialism; the use of military power and other means to extend a nation’s influence and control over other nations
- Criticizes the size of the military budget and emphasizes the billions of dollars it takes from social needs such as poverty and climate change
This theory claims that things such as the flag play an important role in marshalling support for war. Definitions of several concepts also play an important role in public opinion regarding war and terrorism.
Symbolic Interactionist
What are the main Symbolic Interactionist focuses on war?
- Concerns the perceptions and experiences of people involved in war: soldiers, civilians, and others
- Concerns the use of symbols to marshal support for war or protest against war. Symbols such as the flag evoke feelings of patriotism, perhaps especially when a nation is at war
- Concerns how concepts related to war and terrorism come to be defined in ways that advance the goals of various parties
What between different nations is known as ______
International War
War within a single nation is known as _________
Civil War
Known as sustained armed conflict that causes large-scale loss of life or extreme material destruction
War
How many years of its existence has the US been at war?
1/5th of it’s history as a country
War can be described as a result of which explanations?
Social phenomenon
Population/environmental change
Ideological reasons
In 2011, how much of America’s income tax dollars were spent on military expenditures?
Between 43 percent and 48 percent
