Militarization: A Reader

Global Insecurities

by Roberto J. González (Editor), Hugh Gusterson (Editor), Gustaaf Houtman (Editor)

A Reader offers a range of critical perspectives on the dynamics of militarization as a social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental phenomenon. It portrays militarism as the condition in which military values and frameworks come to dominate state structures and public culture both in foreign relations and in the domestic sphere. Featuring short, readable essays by anthropologists, historians, political scientists, cultural theorists, and media commentators, the Reader  probes militarism's ideologies, including those that valorize warriors, armed conflict, and weaponry. Outlining contemporary militarization processes at work around the world, the Reader offers a wide-ranging examination of a phenomenon that touches the lives of billions of people.

In collaboration with Catherine Besteman, Andrew Bickford, Catherine Lutz, Katherine T. McCaffrey, Austin Miller, David H. Price, David Vine

Genres: Anthropology, Politics

424 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2019

Reviews

[Eila Mcmillin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some sections dragged a bit in my opinion, however since this reader is quite comprehensive, I think the sections that dragged for me only dragged because they are less related to my research interests, and I would assume that someone with different interests would find those sections compelling and might find some of the sections that I quite enjoyed to drag. 

I waffle on how I feel about the broad range of time that the editors have pulled from. On the one hand, some of the excerpt's dated-ness made them feel a bit unnecessary, but then again, the except from Margaret Mead feels just as important in 2024 as I'm sure it felt in 1940. I would throw that as a point of caution to readers - check the dates on the excerpts so that you're processing the knowledge/arguments within the appropriate cultural/historical frame. 

The last section is really excellent, and after reading through many different disheartening and troubling topics, I think having a section that provides some hope or at least a way forward is really a balm. 

Definitely appreciate having short sections to introduce different ideas with provided sources for more in-depth research. Would be an excellent reader/primer for a university class covering military anthropology or sociology. Many of the readings in the militarizing knowledge section would be great in terms of instruction around professional ethics and the social sciences. 

[Mills College Library]

355.0213 M6444 2019