Militarisering

Militarisering, or militarization, is the process by which the military, or the principles of military power, assume a central role in the politics, economy, and culture of a society. It involves expanding military capabilities, prioritizing defense spending, and increasing the salience of security considerations in public life.

Militarisering operates across several dimensions: political (civil-military relations, security prioritization in policy, use of emergency powers), economic (defense budgets, defense-industrial complex, dual-use technologies), social and cultural (military values, rhetoric, education, veterans’ status), and technological (advanced weapons, cyber and space domains). Drivers include perceived external threats, geopolitical competition, nationalism, colonial legacies, and crisis conditions such as war or terrorism.

Mechanisms and indicators include increases in defense outlays, conscription or reserve mobilization, expanded procurement, militarized policing, deployment of military actors in non-military roles, and the incorporation of security thinking into education and media. Indicators also include the entrenchment of security expertise in government and the diffusion of militarized symbols or language.

Consequences are mixed and debated. Militarization can contribute to deterrence and stability but may erode civil liberties, weaken civilian control over security, distort economic priorities, provoke arms races, and lead to conflict expansion. Critics warn against the militarization of foreign policy, border control, and disaster response.

Contexts vary widely; during the Cold War, many states expanded defense sectors and security-state practices. The post-9/11 era saw intensified internal security measures and police-military cooperation in many countries. Policy debates emphasize governance, transparency, oversight, and balancing security needs with democratic norms.