War & Industry: An Introduction
I included artwork that has to do with industry as well this week. It’s clear that war, more specifically its outcome, is dependent on industry. The term “military-industrial complex” exists for a reason.² Although industry during war is important, like what advancements a military has, industry is a broad term and goes beyond traditional warfare. The Merriam-Webster dictionary identifies four explanations of industry that most of us are familiar with. They are the following:
Through these definitions, one can see how industry is everywhere. Usually, it is considered a good thing. We want economies to grow and people to work in them. We want to create “something of value.” Industry is a beautiful end. It has helped countries like the U.S. progress at incredible rates. But, what about the means of industry? What is sacrificed at the cost of achieving industry? The art of this week aims to comment on the costs of war and industry.(a) manufacturing activity as a whole; (b) a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises; (c) a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture, especially one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing; (d) systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value.³
¹ Frieden, Jeffry A., et al. World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions. 4th ed., W.W. Norton & Company, 2019.
² The article, “Military-Industrial Complex,” from history.com demonstrates the increasing awareness of the military-industrial complex during President Eisenhower’s administration.
³ See online Merriam-Webster dictionary for full definition and contextualization of industry (noun).