militarism

political philosophy

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June 30, 2026

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Militarism is a political philosophy and practice where a nation prioritizes military strength and methods to achieve its goals and gain power. It involves the belief that a country should use its military forces extensively. Those who advocate for or attempt to cause war are known as militarists. This can manifest as "gunboat diplomacy," where military force, often naval power, is used or threatened to influence or coerce other states without full-scale war. Military rule is a related concept, describing a political regime where the military holds significant power, often arising from factors like political conflict, economic crises, or weak state institutions.12345

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Japan
The rise of the militarists
The notion that expansion through military conquest would solve Japan’s economic problems gained currency during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It was argued that the rapid growth of Japan’s population—which stood at close to 65 million in 1930—necessitated large food imports. To sustain…
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The notion that expansion through military conquest would solve Japan’s economic problems gained currency during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It was argued that the rapid growth of Japan’s population—which stood at close to 65 million in 1930—necessitated large food imports. To sustain…
Read More

primitive culture
Herding societies
The militarism of herding societies has played a major role in history. As wealthy agricultural civilizations developed in the Fertile Crescent of the ancient Middle East, in the Indus River Valley, and at the middle bend of the Huang Ho in China, they became easy prey…
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The militarism of herding societies has played a major role in history. As wealthy agricultural civilizations developed in the Fertile Crescent of the ancient Middle East, in the Indus River Valley, and at the middle bend of the Huang Ho in China, they became easy prey…
Read More

war
Special-interest groups
Warlike governments dragging peace-loving people into international conflict is a recurrent theme of both liberal and socialist analyses of war. Some writers have gone to the length of postulating a continuous conspiracy of the rulers against the ruled that can be traced to prehistoric times,…
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Warlike governments dragging peace-loving people into international conflict is a recurrent theme of both liberal and socialist analyses of war. Some writers have gone to the length of postulating a continuous conspiracy of the rulers against the ruled that can be traced to prehistoric times,…
Read More