Militarism, The United States, and The Cold War

This article examines the major definitions of militarism (militarization, cultural behavior, and national policy), surveys the treatment of the subject in recent literature, and considers whether militarism has actually become more prevalent in the United States during, and as a result of, the Cold War. The evidence suggests an affirmative answer if the militarization and national policy definitions are applied. Further study is needed, however, before a conclusion can be drawn regarding cultural behavior.