|
Articles
& Essays On Militarism
Militarism & U.S. Culture
http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/38/10533
The Normalization of War
by Andrew J. Bacevich
This excerpt from his book discusses
how our country has been militarized since the Vietnam War, a development
to which the events of September 11 only added momentum.
http://www.anti-sheep.com/articles/030505-militarism-US-culture.php
“Lethal and Compassionate”:
The Militarization of U.S. Culture by
Jorge Mariscal
Mariscal discusses the militarization
of our entire culture, largely in aspects of everyday life, gives
many examples, and suggests a distinction between this militarization
in the culture and militarism as an ideology.
http://badgerherald.com/oped/2005/02/11/militarism_overwhelm.php
Militarism overwhelms American culture
by Rob Rossmeissl
This article in the University of Wisconsin
student newspaper argues that war is glorified and trivialized in
American culture, including in kids’ play, in video games,
and in the major media.
http://badgerherald.com/oped/2005/02/24/militarism_part_of_a.php
Militarism part of American culture by
Erica Moeller
This reply to the previous article in
the same newspaper points to the caring of soldiers and the pride
and dignity of the military, but does not really rebut or even address
the main points of the original article.
War Toys
http://www.peacecouncil.net/pnl/02/715/715WarToys.htm
Karen Hall is troubled by the increasingly
realistic war toys being sold and marketed.
lhttp://www.peacecoalition.org/facts/toys_are_for_fun.html
An overview of the appeal and effects
of war toys, with suggestions for how families can deal with war
toys and promote nonviolent activities.
http://www.barnard.edu/sfonline/reverb/lorentz1.htm
This article begins with a trip to Toys
R Us, as Lois Ann Lorentzen observes war-inspired toys. She goes
on to discuss the militarization of U.S. society, including links
between gender and militarism.
http://web.syr.edu/~kjhall/texts/pcapaper.htm
An interesting article mostly about GI
Joe collectors, but Karen J. Hall also touches on related subjects
like the socializing effect of war toys, militarism and consumer
consumption.
http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=1134
Have yourself a Pentagon Christmas by
Nick Turse
Seasonal satire: “From the Pentagon
to you, via us, comes the A (for ‘Armed to the Teeth’)
list of presents sure to make this a true military-industrial Christmas!”
http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=2063
Giving the Gift of War ... Merry Pentagon
Christmas by Nick Turse
More satire – “the second
annual TomDispatch list of gifts that will make this a jolly ‘military-corporate
complex’ Xmas for you and yours!”
http://perc.ca/PEN/1995-12-01/s-hruska.html
Tots, Toys and Television: the Violent
'90s by Hana Hruska – a
short article about how popular culture and merchandise promote
militarism to children.
Pop Culture
http://web.syr.edu/~kjhall/texts/scms.htm
The New War Story Begins at Home: Combat
Missions and Constructions of the New War Warrior
A discussion of the television show “Combat
Missions” and its desired effects on viewers.
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/culture/articles/eav112100.shtml
Remembering Batken: Militarism and Pop
Concerts
Nick Megoran contrasts the responses
of Kyrgystan and of Uzbekistan to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan,
as seen in the media and pop music of the two countries.
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Aug04/Kashani0807.htm
Tony Kashani discusses three generations
and types of Hollywood war films, includes many examples, and argues
that the Hollywood war film is “but another tool to use for…
‘manufacturing consent’.”
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/mar2002/war-m23.shtml
Hollywood’s ideological war —
Two films: Collateral Damage and We Were Soldiers
Joseph Kay’s reviews and political
analyses of these 2 films, with a brief discussion of war films
as propaganda legitimizing or glorifying American militarism.
Cars And Clothes
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/v2n1p6.htm
Mike Felker sees camouflage clothing
as a symbol of militarism, not as a fashion statement.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/SPT/v5n2/garnar.html
Portable Civilizations and Urban Assault
Vehicles
Andrew Garnar analyzes the SUV, its rise
in popularity, and its dual images as "portable civilization"
and "urban assault vehicle", based partly on the military
origins of Jeeps and Hummers.
http://mason.gmu.edu/~sandrew3/archive/2004_05_01_arcindex
Sean Andrews’ “paper about
the Hummer... that is definitely a cultural studies project”
discusses how news coverage of Operations Desert Shield and Desert
Storm raised demand for a civilian Hummer. (Scroll down to 'Wednesday'
for this essay.)
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/viewtopic.php?topic=38189&forum=4
"What car better symbolizes warped
national priorities than the Hummer? Hummers… perpetuate our
dependence on oil and oil wars as they normalize militarism in our
neighborhoods.”
Militarism, Racism & Sexism
http://www.activism.net/peace/nvcdh/discrimination.shtml
A short article about the connections
between racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism and militarism.
http://www.womeninblack.org.uk/Feminist
Antimilitarism.htm
Why Feminist Anti-militarism?
An essay on feminist challenges to militarism,
racism, nationalism, and war, by Cynthia Cockburn.
http://www.awakenedwoman.com/marshall_militarism.htm
The Connection Between Militarism and
Violence Against Women
Lucinda Marshall explains how militarism
and violence against women are both driven by a desire for power
over an ‘other’. She points out many effects of war
and militarism on women, including sexual assault, domestic violence,
and prostitution. She also suggests ways to bring about change.
http://www.wilpf.int.ch/publications/womenmilitarism.htm
Women and Militarism
Colleen Burke’s gender analysis
of militarism illustrates the effects of militarism on women, discusses
the socialization of people to accept both violence and imposed
gender roles, reveals patriarchy at the roots of militarism, and
suggests possibilities for systemic change through education.
http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/NewsAndEvents/upload/The
Power of Culture Shift.pdf
The Power of Culture Shift: The Long
Haul from Militarism to Non-Violence
In this essay about transforming culture
from militarism and patriarchy to non-violence and partnership,
Maureen Dolan places some emphasis on increased roles, influence
and leadership of women.
Interview With A Marine
http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/forum/story/9316824p-10241546c.html
‘I Killed Innocent People
for Our Government’ Paul
Rockwell's interview with Jimmy Massey. "Staff Sgt. Jimmy Massey
was a Marine for 12 years. Then he was sent to Iraq. What he saw
there, and was ordered to do there, tunred him against the war.
and he left the Marines so he wouldn't have to go back. The brutality,
the sheer carnage of the U.S. invasion, touched his conscience and
transformed him forever." (Registration required)
Related Links
Veterans’ Organizations
Veterans for Peace
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/
Veterans working together for peace &
justice through non-violence, drawing on experiences and perspectives
gained as veterans to raise public awareness of the true costs and
consequences of militarism and war - and to seek peaceful, effective
alternatives.
Iraq Veterans Against the War
http://www.ivaw.net/
Iraq veterans seeking to bring the troops
home now, support Iraqi reconstruction in whatever way possible,
and support our veterans and our troops now and upon their return
home.
Veterans for Common Sense
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/
A group of veterans seeking to inject
the element of Common Sense into debates over war and national security.
Veterans Against the Iraq War
http://www.vaiw.org/vet/index.php
Veterans Against the Iraq War is a coalition
of American veterans who support our troops but oppose war with
Iraq or any other nation that does not pose a clear and present
danger to our people and nation.
Soldiers and Military Families
GI Rights Hotline 1-800-394-9544
http://girights.objector.org/
A network of nonprofit organizations
who provide information to servicemembers about military discharges,
grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights.
Operation Truth
www.optruth.org
An organization founded by veterans of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, encouraging soldiers to tell their own
stories in their own words and advocating for real support for veterans
and soldiers’ families as well as accountability from those
who planned the war.
A Soldier Speaks
http://www.alternet.org/asoldierspeaks/
This site features interviews with and
profiles of soldiers.
Military Families Speak Out
http://www.mfso.org/
An organization of people who are opposed
to war in Iraq and who have relatives or loved ones in the military.
Other Links Related to War
and Militarism
Grandmothers for Peace
Proyecto Guerrero Azteca
www.guerreroazteca.org
Fernando Suarez del Solar’s organization created in memory
of his son, a soldier who died in Iraq, “as a voice against
wars, specifically the war in Iraq initiated in 2003.”
Committee Opposed to Militarism and
the Draft
http://www.comdsd.org/
COMD is an anti-militarism organization
that also challenges the institution of the military, its effect
on society, its budget, its role abroad and at home, and the racism,
sexism and homophobia that are inherent in the armed forces and
Selective Service System. COMD activities include community education,
direct action and youth outreach.
The War in Context
http://warincontext.org/
A daily record of America's post-9/11
impact on the world
Coalition for Peace Action
http://www.peacecoalition.org/facts/
Includes information on youth and the
military, military recruiting, and militarism and nuclear disarmament.
Bring Them Home Now
http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/
A campaign to bring the troops home from
Iraq now.
|
