Definition
Militarism is the belief that a nation should maintain a strong armed force and should be ready to use it aggressively to defend or advance its interests. It also describes a condition in which military values, leaders, and priorities hold unusual influence over a society's politics and culture.
In the decades before the First World War, militarism gripped the major European powers. Armies and navies expanded rapidly, military spending soared, and military planners gained a powerful voice in government. War came to be seen by many not as a last resort but as a natural and even glorious instrument of national policy.
Why it matters
How it works
Militarism feeds a dangerous logic. Once one nation expands its forces, its neighbours feel compelled to match it, and the buildup spirals upward. As armies grow, so does the influence of generals and their plans, which often demand fast mobilisation to gain an advantage. In a crisis, that pressure to strike first can override slower diplomatic options. Militarism also shapes public attitudes, glorifying war and making the costs of conflict easier to overlook until they arrive.