Marxist theory views capitalism as a system of class struggle in which the ruling class exploits the working class to maintain their power and wealth. One aspect of this struggle is the development of the military industrial complex, which is the integration of the military and the defense industry to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the state and capital. In this system, military expenditure is considered necessary for the development of the military industrial complex, which serves to reinforce the dominance of the ruling class and perpetuate the exploitation of the working class.
The military industrial complex is a prime example of the interlocking of state power and capitalist interests, which Marxists argue is a fundamental feature of capitalism. The state acts as a guarantor of the interests of the capitalist class, protecting their property rights, maintaining social order, and providing a favorable environment for the accumulation of capital. In the case of military expenditure, the state is responsible for providing the funds necessary for the development and maintenance of the military, which in turn provides a market for the defense industry.
Military expenditure provides a significant source of demand for the defense industry, which in turn provides jobs and profits for the capitalist class. This creates a symbiotic relationship between the state and capital, in which the state uses military expenditure as a means of providing a market for the defense industry, while the defense industry provides the state with the means to maintain its military power. This relationship is often facilitated by the use of public-private partnerships, in which the state contracts with private companies to provide goods and services to the military.
One example of the military industrial complex in action is the United States military. The US military is the largest in the world, and its annual budget is one of the largest line items in the federal budget. This budget is used to fund a wide range of military activities, including the development of new weapons systems, the maintenance of existing military infrastructure, and the provision of logistical support to military operations. Much of this funding is provided to private defense contractors, who use it to develop new technologies and provide support services to the military.
The US military industrial complex has been a significant force in American politics since the end of World War II. It has been credited with contributing to the country's economic growth by creating jobs and driving technological innovation, but it has also been criticized for perpetuating war and imperialism. The military industrial complex has been implicated in a number of scandals, including cost overruns, fraud, and corruption.
In conclusion, Marxist theory views military expenditure as necessary for the development of the military industrial complex, which serves to reinforce the dominance of the ruling class and perpetuate the exploitation of the working class. Military expenditure provides a market for the defense industry, which in turn provides jobs and profits for the capitalist class. The military industrial complex is a prime example of the interlocking of state power and capitalist interests, which Marxists argue is a fundamental feature of capitalism.