Synonyms
Permanent war economy; War corporatism
Definition/Introduction
“The military-industrial complex” (MIC) refers to a self-sustaining politico-economic system that perpetuates profitability in military supplies industries, de facto in multiple countries but primarily in the USA. It is made up of competing and/or collaborating entities – the maintenance of which is on the whole financially advantageous to all concerned. These include professional soldiers et al., managers and owners of industries that supply military equipment, government officials whose careers and interests are tied to military expenditure, and legislators whose districts benefit from defense procurement (Rosen 1973, pp. 1–2). The complex business objectives sought by these and other related personnel are fostered in part by exalting technical possibilities but also by spreading fear as to dangers that are imminent and can be countered only by maintaining the highest feasible level of military preparedness...
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Additional Readings
Cox RW (2016) The military-industrial complex and US military spending after 9/11. Class, Race and Corporate Power 2:2. online at http://digitalcommonsfiu.edu/classracecorporate power/vol2/iss2/5
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Byrne, E.F. (2023). Military Industrial Complex (MIC). In: Poff, D.C., Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22767-8_209
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