Eisenhower 50 Years Ago Warned of Rise of Military Industrial Complex

Posted By Dr. Mercola | March 23 2011

On January 17, 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower warned the U.S. of something he described as a threat to democratic government. He called this threat the "military-industrial complex", a union of defense contractors and the armed forces.  The term has become a rallying cry for opponents of military expansion.

Eisenhower said, in part:

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist."

Sources:

NPR January 17, 2011