In his farewell address to the nation — 54 years ago today — President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the American people to keep a careful eye on what he called the military-industrial complex that began developing in the post-World War II years. A fiscal conservative, Eisenhower had been concerned about the growing size and cost of the American defense establishment since he became president in 1953. In his last presidential address to the American people, he expressed those concerns in terms that shocked some of his listeners. Eisenhower began by describing the changing nature of the American defense establishment since World War II. No longer could the U.S. afford the emergency improvisation that characterized its preparations for war against Germany and Japan. Instead, the United States was compelled to create a permanent armaments industry and a huge military force. He admitted that the Cold War made clear the imperative need for this development, but he was gravely concerned about the acquisition of unwarranted influence...by the military-industrial complex. In particular, he asked the American people to guard against the danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite. Eisenhowers blunt language stunned some of his supporters. They believed that the man who led the country to victory in Europe in World War II and guided the nation through some of the darkest moments of the Cold War was too negative toward the military-industrial complex that was the backbone of Americas defense. For most listeners, however, it seemed clear that Eisenhower was merely stating the obvious. World War II and the ensuing Cold War resulted in the development of a large and powerful defense establishment. The outgoing President warned that this new military-industrial complex could weaken or destroy the very institutions and principles it was designed to protect. Only now can we be begin to appreciate the truth of Eisenhower’s words. Here, Eisenhower issues his infamous warning.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 08:28:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015