The Antimilitarism Compass
An exploration of the philosophical, political, and social movements dedicated to opposing militarism and war, charting a course towards peace and reasoned policy.
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The Core Concept
Defining Antimilitarism
Antimilitarism is a doctrine fundamentally opposed to war and the pervasive influence of military institutions within society. It critiques the glorification of military power and advocates for the reduction of military expenditure and the prevention of international conflict. Paul B. Miller defines it as "ideology and activities...aimed at reducing the civil power of the military and ultimately, preventing international war."1 Cynthia Cockburn further characterizes antimilitarist movements as those opposing "military rule, high military expenditure or the imposition of foreign bases in their country."2
Distinguishing from Pacifism
While often associated, antimilitarism is distinct from pacifism. Pacifism is the absolute rejection of violence and war as means to settle disputes. Antimilitarism, however, does not necessarily reject the use of force in all circumstances but rather opposes the pervasive societal belief in and maintenance of a large, powerful military organization, particularly when it is geared towards aggressive preparedness. Martin Ceadel notes that antimilitarism can sometimes be equated with pacifism, especially when force is seen as a necessary, albeit regrettable, tool to advance the cause of peace.3
Historical Roots
The principles of antimilitarism were explicit goals of early international socialist organizations like the First and Second International, often framed within a critical theory of imperialism. This historical context highlights its deep roots in critiques of economic exploitation and state power that often fuel conflict.
Antimilitarism vs. Pacifism
Core Tenets
Pacifism is grounded in the ethical conviction that disputes should be resolved peacefully, advocating for the complete avoidance of war and violence. It often involves a personal commitment to non-participation in military actions.4
Antimilitarism, conversely, focuses its critique on the societal structures and ideologies that promote and sustain military power. It challenges the notion that a strong military is inherently necessary for national security or that military solutions are the most effective means to resolve international issues. It targets the "belief or desire to maintain a large and strong military organization in aggressive preparedness for war."56
Focus of Opposition
The primary distinction lies in the target of opposition. Pacifism opposes war and violence directly. Antimilitarism opposes the societal structures, political doctrines, and economic systems that foster militarismโthe belief in maintaining a strong military and aggressive preparedness. This includes challenging high military spending, the influence of the military-industrial complex, and the normalization of military solutions to political problems.
Critiques of Violence and Law
Revolutionary Violence and Law
Philosophers like Georges Sorel, in his work "Reflections on Violence," explored the role of violence in social change. Sorel advocated for "revolutionary violence" as a form of direct action, though his views on its relationship to class struggle were complex.7
Walter Benjamin, in his seminal "Critique of Violence," further delineated types of violence. He distinguished between "violence that founds the law" (the original act of establishing a state or legal system) and "violence that conserves the law" (the state's monopoly on legitimate force). Benjamin contrasted these with a concept of "divine violence"โa "pure means" that could shatter the legal framework itself, exemplified by a General Strike.8 Giorgio Agamben later analyzed the theoretical link between law and violence, particularly through Carl Schmitt's concept of the "state of exception," suggesting that breaking this link is crucial to challenging state-sanctioned violence.
Artistic Critiques
Cultural expressions often reflect antimilitarist sentiments. The light opera The Chocolate Soldier, based on George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, satirizes military virtues and presents a deserter who prioritizes chocolate over ammunition, subtly critiquing the absurdity and misplaced priorities of militarism.1 Similarly, Mihรกly Zichy's painting "The Victory of the Genius of Destruction" was banned for its overt antimilitarist message, highlighting the perceived threat such art posed to established powers.2
The Pervasive Effects of Conflict
Human and Societal Toll
The consequences of war extend far beyond the battlefield, impacting civilians, soldiers, and particularly vulnerable populations like women and children. Millions have been killed or displaced in armed conflicts, leading to widespread trauma, psychological distress, and the breakdown of social order.1011 Internal conflicts often disproportionately affect civilians, with combatants sometimes targeting them strategically. The indirect consequences on infrastructure, public health, and economic stability are profound and long-lasting.15
Economic Opportunity Costs
Antimilitarism critically examines the vast sums allocated to military spending, arguing that these resources could be better utilized for human development. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimated global military spending at $1.738 trillion in 2011.16 This expenditure is contrasted with the failure to meet pledges for initiatives like the Millennium Development Goals.16
Research suggests that substantial military investment does not necessarily enhance safety; instead, funds diverted to defense could address the root causes of conflict through social, political, and economic development.17 As President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously stated, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed."20 The opportunity cost of militarization is immense, diverting funds from essential services like infrastructure, education, and healthcare.19
Influential Thinkers and Ideas
Thoreau's Civil Disobedience
Henry David Thoreau's 1849 essay "Civil Disobedience" (originally "Resistance to Civil Government") offers a foundational perspective on antimilitarism through the lens of individual conscience. Thoreau advocated for civil disobedience as a moral imperative, famously refusing to pay taxes to protest slavery and the Mexican-American War. He argued that individuals have a duty to break unjust laws, stating, "the law is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another."22 This stance emphasizes the primacy of individual moral judgment over state authority, particularly in matters of war and oppression.21
Capitalism, Imperialism, and the MIC
Antimilitarist thought has often linked capitalism to the perpetuation of war, a concept articulated by Vladimir Lenin and Rosa Luxemburg as "imperialism." They theorized that capitalist competition and the drive for resources and markets inherently lead to international conflict.23
The "military-industrial complex"โa term popularized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his 1961 farewell addressโhas been accused of actively promoting war for economic gain.27 The assassination of French socialist leader Jean Jaurรจs shortly before World War I underscored the tragic consequences when antimilitarist voices are silenced amidst rising nationalism and militarism.2425 รmile Chartier (Alain) critiqued militarism's coercive nature, suggesting soldiers fight not out of patriotism but under duress.26
Diverse Ideological Currents
Right-Wing Antimilitarism in the US
American right-wing antimilitarism draws heavily from the Founding Fathers, particularly Thomas Jefferson, who warned against standing armies as instruments of potential tyranny. Jefferson stated, "There are instruments so dangerous to the rights of the nation... that those governors... should be restrained from keeping such instruments on foot but in well-defined cases. Such an instrument is a standing army."29
This perspective often emphasizes the importance of a "well regulated Militia" as the natural defense of a free country, as articulated by James Madison.30 Some interpretations view "well regulated" as meaning "well equipped" rather than state-controlled.28 Early proponents like David Starr Jordan also voiced concerns, albeit through a flawed eugenics lens, about war depleting the gene pool.31
Japan's Post-War Stance
Following World War II, Japan adopted a constitution that renounces war as a sovereign right. Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution explicitly states, "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes." This antimilitarist stance was rooted in the belief that Japan's military actions had led it into the devastating conflict.32
The Yoshida Doctrine, emphasizing economic development and reliance on the U.S. security umbrella, along with the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, are seen as evidence of this antimilitarism. However, debates persist regarding the interpretation and potential amendments to Article 9, with some legislative changes allowing Japan's Self-Defense Forces greater operational scope, drawing opposition from parties like the Japanese Communist Party.32
Organized Antimilitarist Efforts
Historical Movements
The Second International, prior to World War I, was a significant antimilitarist force within the socialist movement, though its effectiveness was ultimately undermined by the outbreak of war.2425 In the United States, the American Union Against Militarism emerged during World War I, later contributing to the formation of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).33
Figures like Benjamin Spock became prominent in anti-war activism, notably signing the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge against the Vietnam War and facing arrest for his involvement in protests.333435
International Networks
War Resisters' International, founded in 1921, serves as a global network connecting pacifist and antimilitarist groups across numerous countries. This organization exemplifies the enduring international dimension of the movement, fostering collaboration and shared strategies for peace advocacy.3
Individuals who refuse military conscription, such as Refuseniks in Israel and draft resisters in the US, are often considered part of the broader antimilitarist or pacifist spectrum.
Antimilitarism Across Nations
National Manifestations
Antimilitarist sentiments and policies manifest differently across various nations, shaped by unique historical experiences and political contexts. Costa Rica, for instance, constitutionally abolished its army in 1949, establishing a strong national identity centered on peace and diplomacy. Switzerland maintains a policy of neutrality, underpinned by a long tradition of non-interventionism.
The Navbox below provides a broader overview of countries with significant pacifist or antimilitarist traditions and movements, illustrating the global reach of these ideals.
Related Movements and Concepts
Antimilitarism is closely intertwined with various other social and political movements and concepts, including anti-war activism, pacifism, non-violence, disarmament, and critiques of imperialism and the military-industrial complex. Understanding these connections reveals the multifaceted nature of the pursuit of peace.
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References
References
- Walter Benjamin, Zรยผr Kritik der Gewalt (1920) in Gesammelte Schriften, vol. II, 1 (1977) ("Criticisms on Violence")
- Hill, Stephen M. "United Nations Peacekeeeieiei Disarmament and Conflict Resolution". United Nations Disarmament Processes in Intra-State Conflict (2005): 1รขยย26. Web.
- Plรยผmper, Thomas, and Eric Neumayer. "The Unequal Burden of War: The Effect of Armed Conflict on the Gender Gap in Life Expectancy". International Organization 60.3 (2006): 723. ProQuest. Web. 2 December 2016.
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