Meaning of Militarism (What is it, Concept and Definition)

What is Militarism:

As militarism the preponderance of the military and military doctrine in the life of a nation is designated, as well as its influence on State policy .

Militarism is established when the armed forces, as an institution that owns weapons, exerts influence, either through its members, or as an institution, in the political conduct of a country.

The military is, in effect, an important part of the power structure of a State, and due to its discipline, organization, respect for hierarchical systems and body spirit, they are a potentially influential organization.

Militarism, then, usually occurs in societies with political systems that are still immature or poorly consolidated, or moments of disorder or confusion.Hence, the emergence of militarism is considered a symptom of backwardness or weakness of a country's political system.

Militarism, as an ideology, believes that s military, due to their discipline, are the most prepared elements to assume the efficient conduct of a society and ensure the security of the nation.

But militarism also usually appears in the form of eagerness for the political power and for the privileges that it brings with it.In addition, it usually ends up imposing principles of military life on civilian life, in contexts where they are inadequate or seriously threaten fundamental civil liberties.

Throughout history, many nations, societies and nations have been militarist orientated.Spain, in Ancient Greece, for example, was a society organized around a system of warriors.Militarists were also the Japanese Empire, the British Empire, the German Empire, the First French Empire, Mussolini's Italy, Franco's Spain, the Soviet Union or the United States.

In Latin America, there are also multiple cases of militaristic governments, such asthe cases of Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Honduras, Venezuela, Panama, etc.In general, these militaristic states have been military or fascist dictatorships; however, it should be noted that militarism can also exist in democratic societies, as is the case in the United States.

One of the essential characteristics that show the militaristic turn of the policy of a country is the expense that this destines to the armament.

See also Fascism.