1. ASHFORD POL 201 Week 3 DQ 1
Defense Spending and the Military-Industrial
Complex
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Defense Spending and the Military-Industrial Complex. Levin-Waldman (2012, pp.
186-89) analyzes how "iron triangles" link Congress, the bureaucracy, and
interest groups in self-serving relationships that influence policy in ways that are
contrary to the public interest. In 1961, at the end of President Eisenhower's
second term, he gave a farewell address to the nation in which he warned of the
dangers of a "military-industrial complex." Many commentators today see the
military-industrial complex as an example of an iron triangle that bloats the
defense budget and distorts national priorities. Not everyone would accept this
analysis, however, especially defense "hawks" in Congress, the military
bureaucracies, and defense industries.
In your initial post of at least 200-250 words, briefly explain the iron triangle model
of policy-making involving Congress, the bureaucracy, and interest groups.
Analyze information about relationships among Congress, the military
bureaucracies, and defense industries. Draw your own conclusion, and support it
with facts and with persuasive reasoning, about the impact of these relationships
on defense spending. Evaluate the accuracy of the iron triangle model as a basis
for understanding the process of making defense spending policy.
Fully respond to all parts of the question. Write in your own words. Support your
position with APA citations to two or more different resources required for this
discussion.
By Day 7, respond to at least two of your classmates' initial posts. Your peer
responses each must be at least 75 words. They must demonstrate critical
thinking (e.g., ask a relevant question about your peer's post while explaining why
your question is significant, or state a perspective that contrasts with your peer's
while explaining or justifying your position).
Reference:
Levin-Waldman.(2012). American national government. San Diego, CA:
Bridgepoint Education Inc.