Warfare Welfare: The Not-So-Hidden Costs of America's Permanent War Economy

by Raskin, Marcus G.; Squires, Gregory D.

• ISBN13: 9781597975339
• ISBN10: 1597975338
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-31
• Publisher: Univ of Nebraska Pr

Summary

This edited volume reveals how a permanent war economy has made the United States unable to spread democracy abroad and has worsened domestic problems. The editors draw from classical readings in political theory, from primary documents (including key court decisions), and from social science research to analyze such issues as the effect of militarization and combativeness on the everyday lives of Americans. The editors also address the dire connection among banking losses, the housing recession, the welfare/national security state, and the challenge of rebuilding America's infrastructure. Raskin and Squires ultimately conclude that only by making war an unattractive option and dismantling the warfare system can meaningful progress be made on the current foreign and domestic challenges facing the United States. They also offer steps to replace the warfare system, outlining the ideological and material transformations necessary for peace. Students of political science, sociology, history, and law will find this a thought-provoking, forward-thinking contribution concerning America's future at home and abroad.

Author Biography

Marcus G. Raskin is a professor at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University and cofounder and former director of the Institute for Policy Studies. Gregory D. Squires is a professor of sociology and of public policy and public administration at the George Washington University.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction: The Ground on Which We Stand: States of Warfare and Welfare	p. 1
The Wars Abroad
The Traditions of America-Harold J. Laski	p. 17
The War and the Intellectuals-Randolph S. Bourne	p. 54
Sanctions and the Security of Nations-John Dewey	p. 64
Future Peace: The Remaking of Scientists and Soldiers-Chris Hables Gray	p. 85
Peace and Realpolitik-Marcus G. Raskin	p. 101
The Wars at Home
America's Permanent War Economy-Seymour Melman	p. 139
Schenck v. United States-Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. (Opinion)	p. 166
Detention, Treatment, and Trial of Certain Non-Citizens in the War Against Terrorism-Executive Order of the President of the United States	p. 170
The Propaganda of History-W.E.B. Du Bois	p. 175
Some Economics of Class-Michael Perelman	p. 189
The Social Construction of Disaster: New Orleans as the Paradigmatic American City-Chester Hartman	p. 200
Foreclosing on the Free Market: How to Remedy the Subprime Catastrophe-John Atlas	p. 227
Conclusion: War Avoidance and a Peaceful Framework-Marcus G. Raskin	p. 241
Index	p. 265
About the Editors	p. 277
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