During World War II, government-organized relationships between the military and business became commonplace. Commodity committees were set up to determine allocations, prices, or other controls. Businesses had a source for profits from the military. These companies lobbyed politicians and fought for contracts.
Dwight Eisenhower warned in the mid-1960s that the military-industrial complicated was a "grave danger" to the American public. He feared that this complex would become larger and more influential on US foreign policy. He was afraid that the military could gain too much power and compete with civilian programs. He warned against a military arms race and an unchecked increase in nuclear weapons. He was also concerned that the complex could lead to an increase in the Cold War.
The American foreign strategy has a lot to do the military industrial compound. It has the greatest impact on arms exports abroad, cooperative production programs, multinational corporations involved in the arms industry, and on American foreign policy. It is underwritten by a political ideology promoting industrial war production. Its interests include military strategy conceptions of inner affairs, continued development of weaponry, preservation of colonial marketplaces, and other strategic concepts.
The military industrial complex is a coalition of military and defense contractors, government bureaucracies, and interest groups. The United States Department of Defense is world's largest bureaucracy. Conservatives worry that too much military spending can lead to economic disruption at home. They also believe that the military-industrial complex could be broken up into counterforces.
The United States has a comprehensive strategy for foreign policy. It has developed a system of combating terrorism. In support of this strategy, it has created a military industrial complex. It has also been a hub for corruption and abuse, especially in the area of government contracting. The military industrial complicated is a problem that must be addressed.
There is increasing concern about the links between the military sector and the defense industry. Conservatives worry that the military-industrial complex creates dangerous tensions at home and abroad. Others fear that it can cause economic disruption in the country. It is unclear how many civilians are involved. It is not yet clear how much military personnel is involved.
The military industrial community is comprised of industrial giants who are dependent on contracts for profit. In order to stay afloat, they must continually outperform their competitors. Their political survival hinges on their compliance to their procurement interests.
Corruption and overruns in government-funded procurement of military supplies have been a problem. The military pays politicians while the military spends money on military goods. There are many civilians unaware of the important role the military plays. It is important to understand how the government obtains this money.
In his farewell speech, Dwight Eisenhower warned that military-industrial complexes may be "against the best interests of the United States." He warned against the collusion of interests and warned against policies that would not benefit the American people.