For might and right : Cold War defense spending and the remaking of American democracy

Resource Information

The work For might and right : Cold War defense spending and the remaking of American democracy represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in European University Institute Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

For might and right : Cold War defense spending and the remaking of American democracy

Title remainder

Cold War defense spending and the remaking of American democracy

Statement of responsibility

Michael Brenes

Creator

• Brenes, Michael

Subject

• Defense contracts -- United States -- History -- 20th century
• Militarism -- United States -- History -- 20th century
• Political culture -- United States -- History -- 20th century
• Political participation -- United States -- History -- 20th century
• United States -- Armed Forces | Appropriations and expenditures
• United States -- Economic conditions -- 1945-
• United States -- Politics and government -- 1945-1989
• Cold War -- Influence

Language

eng

Summary

"How did the global Cold War influence American politics at home? For Might and Right traces the story of how Cold War defense spending remade participatory politics, producing a powerful and dynamic political coalition that reached across party lines. This "Cold War coalition" favored massive defense spending over social welfare programs, bringing together a diverse array of actors from across the nation, including defense workers, community boosters, military contractors, current and retired members of the armed services, activists, and politicians. Faced with neoliberal austerity and uncertainty surrounding America's foreign policy after the 1960s, increased military spending became a bipartisan solution to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, even in the absence of national security threats. Using a rich array of archival sources, Michael Brenes draws important connections between economic inequality and American militarism that enhance our understanding of the Cold War's continued impact on American democracy and the resilience of the military-industrial complex, up to the age of Donald Trump"--

Member of

• Culture and politics in the Cold War and beyond

Assigning source

Provided by publisher

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

Series statement

Culture and politics in the Cold War and beyond