The dynamic development of mankind in the last century and a half has replenished the dictionaries with a multitude of terms denoting a huge number of new concepts. One such term is militarization. It describes a phenomenon that is by no means new, but manifested itself especially clearly during this period. The works of eminent political scientists, sociologists, historians tell about what militarization is. But what is the essence of this phenomenon?
At its core, militarization is a process of changing and adapting the economy, science, social, public, political and other spheres of a country's life to the concepts of militarism. Militarism is a state ideology. Its main doctrine is the building up of military potential, the constant improvement of weapons, the development of military art. At the same time, militarism largely justifies the predominant use of military force in resolving foreign policy, and often internal conflicts.
The terms "militarism" (derived from the French militarisme - military) and "militarization" originated in the middle of the 19th century. They characterized the state of affairs in France caused by the rule of government and the policies of Napoleon III. These words firmly entered the lexicon of political scientists and historians towards the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when the economic, political and territorial contradictions between the leading capitalist powers came to the stage of open military confrontation. The militarization of the economies, social and political structures of many countries during this period proceeded at an unprecedented pace.
Globally, militarization as a process has a very ambiguous meaning for the state in which it takes place. Its main feature is the transition of the economy to a war footing to ensure the growth of military potential, which determines successful competition in the arms race. On the one hand, this leads to a constant increase in budgetary expenditures on the military-industrial complex, the maintenance of a large army and weapons, which is the reason for the decrease in funds allocated for the development of cultural, social and public spheres of life. On the other hand, militarization is extremely stimulating research and development in many areas of science and technology (from mechanics to electronics, nuclear physics and information theory).
Summarizing, we can say that militarization is the process of penetration of military ideology into all spheres of a country's life, the transfer of its economy, political ideology, and most scientific and technical areas into a military channel. Militarization stimulates scientific and technological progress, but at the same time it rapidly depletes the internal resources of the state, hinders the harmonious existence and all-round development of its social, cultural and social traditions.