Militarisms

Militarisms refers to a set of ideologies, institutions, and practices that grant central importance to military power in the organization of a state and society. It includes the belief that national security and political objectives are best pursued through armed force, as well as the social processes by which armies, defense planning, and war readiness become integrated into civilian life.

Common elements of militarisms include rising defense expenditure, the normalization of military service (conscription or professional armies), and the fusion of civilian authority with military leadership. Political cultures under militarism tend to valorize martial virtues such as loyalty, sacrifice, and discipline, and may place military officers or security elites in influential policy roles. The military-industrial complex, defense research establishments, and strategic-military media ecosystems are often cited as reinforcing mechanisms.

Militarisms have appeared in diverse historical contexts. In 19th- and early 20th-century Europe, armies and war plans shaped state formation and diplomacy. Totalitarian and authoritarian regimes formalized extensive war preparation as a core project. In modern times, many states maintain substantial defense establishments, deterrence postures, and security identities that influence foreign and domestic policy, sometimes without full military dictatorship.

Critiques emphasize that militarisms can erode civilian control over policy, distort public budgets toward defense, and increase the likelihood or perceived necessity of conflict through arms races and preventive war. Proponents contend that credible military power can deter aggression and preserve stability. The study of militarisms intersects with discussions of militarization, defense policy, and civil-military relations.