US 'dependent on war'?

[Lobotomy]

I often hear people say that the United States has become dependent on war, but I don't really understand how. I understand that the military-industrial complex is huge and holds a fair amount of political influence, but how does the US depend on war from a strictly economic point of view? do the benefits of imperialism (for the ruling class) always outweigh the costs?

[Ostrinski]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Keynesianism

[blake 3:17]

I think the US is very indebted to a war economy on a number of lines.

I don't think it can be answered on purely economic grounds, it also revolves a myriad of political and ideological questions.

The war on Iraq, and the looming war on Iran, aren't pure functional economic issues -- they are about the US maintaining itself as the centre of Capital politically.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/06/military-spending

The US is also tops for imprisonment. It's a crazy place.

[Bostana]

Wouldn't doubt it.

America is Capitalist so it goes in favor of the Bourgeoisie. To the Worker war means death, to the Bourgeoisie war means money.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Point to remember: cappies make trillions when they invade and occupy a country; military, oil and munitions contracts all serve as a great boost ontop of the patriot rush.When war is declared many opposition foes are cowed into submission.But as others have said, there are many reasons why the U.S is dependent on war, Geo-political being,I think, the most important.

[Ocean Seal]

The whole of the capitalist class depends on war. Without war the capitalists cannot slow down the crises of overproduction in capitalism as easily. In addition, for the imperialist nations it is in their primary interest to eliminate burgeoning capitalist economies in the third world to eliminate competition.

[blake 3:17]

To the Worker war means death, to the Bourgeoisie war means money.

If it were so simple -- for most workers war means money too.

[Hermes]

To be honest, a lot of it has to do with the rally around the flag effect as well.

People will generally, for a short time at least, support the government more and overlook past transgressions if a war is in progress. Setting aside liberties for security, etc.

(example of this failing would be Vietnam, which dragged on too long without visible effect, to be popularly supported)

[The Idler]

War doesn't so much as boost the economy as it does the capitalist class.