Describe the military-industrial complex and explain why it is called an iron triangle

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to sociologist Joe Feagin, the Iron Triangle has a revolving door of money, influence, and jobs among its three sets of actors (e.g. Congress, Department of Defense, Defense Contractors), involving trillions of dollars. Military contractors who receive contracts from the Defense Department serve on the advisory committees that recommend what weapons they believe are needed. Many people move around the triangle from job to job, serving in the military, then in the Defense Department, then in military industries.

The long-term relationships found in this arrangement are part of what is referred to as the military-industrial

complex—the mutual interdependence of the military establishment and private military contractors. Sociologist

C. Wright Mills stated that an alliance of economic, military, and political power could result in a "permanent war economy" or "military economy." If the nation is seen as having dangerous enemies, government money will be spent on weapons; in turn, these expenditures will stimulate the private sector of the economy, create jobs, and encourage spending. Until World War I, most U.S. military actions took place within this country (such as the Civil War). During World War II, a massive expansion of the industrial infrastructure of the economy occurred as factories were built to produce uniforms, tanks, airplanes, ships, etc. After the war, a major issue was what to do with the large military establishment that had helped the nation become a superpower. Most defense spending on weapons was directed toward the "Big Three" weapons manufacturers—Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon—which were created in a rash of military-industry mergers. Some of the largest defense contractors have a virtual monopoly over defense contracts because they function in a market with only one buyer (the U.S. government) and few (if any) competitors who can meet Pentagon specifications for a particular item.

Some members of Congress have been willing to support measures that expand the military-industrial complex because doing so provides a unique opportunity for them to assist their local constituencies by authorizing funding for defense-related industries, military bases, and space centers in their home districts. These activities constitute a long-standing political practice known as pork or pork barrel—projects designed to bring jobs and public monies to the home state of members of Congress, for which they can take credit.

Another reason for congressional support of the defense industry is that the politically powerful military industry employs millions and spends extravagantly on contributions to candidates and political parties.