Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"در شوراهای دولتی ما باید در برابر کسب نفوذ بی‌جا چه جستجو شده و چه نشده توسط مجتمع نظامی صنعتی مراقبت کنیم"

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower President of the United States
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
The core idea of this quote is a warning to be careful about the power and influence that the military and defense industries can have over government decisions. It’s like saying, "Hey, we need to watch out that these big defense contractors don’t end up calling the shots."

This quote was from Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th U.S. President, and it comes from his farewell address in 1961. Eisenhower, who was a five-star general in the Army during World War II, had seen firsthand how the military and defense industries worked. He was worried that these powerful groups could gain too much influence over national policy, which could be dangerous for democracy.

Imagine a small town where the biggest employer is a factory. The factory owner starts to have a lot of say in what the town council decides because everyone wants to keep their jobs. Maybe the town council starts approving things that benefit the factory owner more than the townsfolk. This is similar to what Eisenhower was talking about—if the military-industrial complex gets too cozy with the government, it might start making decisions that aren't in the best interest of the people.

So, how can we apply this wisdom today? It’s all about balance and vigilance. When it comes to government contracts and defense spending, there should be transparency and accountability. Citizens and lawmakers should ask tough questions: Who benefits from this contract? Is this the best use of our resources? It’s about being informed and not letting any one group have too much sway.

To make this idea even more relatable, let's think about a scenario. Imagine you're part of your high school’s student council. There’s a big event coming up, and a local business offers to sponsor it—great, right? But then they start suggesting who should perform, what food should be served, and even the theme of the event. Suddenly, it feels like the event is more about promoting their business than about the students having fun. You'd need to step back and consider: Are we letting them take over? Are their suggestions really what's best for the students? It’s crucial to keep that balance and ensure the council’s decisions reflect what’s best for everyone, not just the sponsor.

In a broader sense, this means staying informed about who holds power in our communities and governments. Are there checks and balances in place? Are we, as citizens, paying attention to how decisions are made and why? It’s easy to let powerful groups take control if we’re not vigilant. So, next time you hear about a big defense contract or a new policy, think about who’s behind it and why. Ask questions. Stay engaged.

Remember, it's not about distrusting every big organization or assuming the worst. It's about ensuring that no single entity has too much influence. Just like in our own lives, balance and fairness are key.
Related tags
Government Influence Military Military-industrial complex Power Public policy
MORE QUOTES BY Dwight D. Eisenhower
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon