“the defense industry is a very transparent process and most who work in the defense industry have friends and family still serving so they don’t push for wars because they have a personal stake at risk.”
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Here’s my “thesis”…
Many of the leading companies in the defense industry are publicly traded companies that have millions of shareholders. Anyone who thinks these companies are not influenced by those owners is ignoring reality. Those companies, like all companies, are in business to make money.
Their profits and indeed their cost of capital is largely a function of their revenue growth, which is driven by demand for their products and services. That hard fact is not lost on the CEO, the board, the corporate officers, the shareholders, and the industry analysts who can affect the fortunes of a company.
Not saying they are warmongers but they obviously benefit financially from rising defense expenditures and have every incentive to contribute to the political campaigns of politicians who are supportive of their industry, which typically means they are sympathetic to U.S. engagements abroad.
So it’s not about being influenced by “Hollywood and TV making movies” but more by a recognition of the realities of politics and business. Even honorable people can be influenced in subtle psychological ways by events and things that are beneficial to them. And unfortunately, wars are good for business.
Comment:
I also worked in DoD and IN the defense industry for a period of time. Despite our similar experiences we obviously have different perspectives on the industry. With regard to your comment about the ignorance of “everyone” who doesn’t share your view, you don’t have a monopoly on the truth and should not be so dismissive of those who hold different opinions. Not everyone who see’s things different than you do is someone tryung to “fill minds with conspiracy and sneaky wrong-doings”.
“With regard to your comment about the ignorance of “everyone” who doesn’t share your view, you don’t have a monopoly on the truth and should not be so dismissive of those who hold different opinions. Not everyone who see’s things different than you do is someone trying to “fill minds with conspiracy and sneaky wrong-doings”.”
Didn’t mean to say those that disagree with my position are rubes. Not my intention. Just that. . .and I am sure you will agree. . .like most subjects, most all will have an opinion and most of them is not usually based on facts or a true knowledge of the subject. You, me, included. Just because I didn’t specialize in such-and-such an area, that doesn’t mean I won’t have an opinion. I may not have an informed opinion, but an opinion none-the-less.
Yes, my nearly 40 years in the business from both sides, I still am firm in my belief that former servicemen are the best for the industry because they know the risks and while there are shareholders, to me, the only people I saw that were all-in for shareholder pressure are those that never served, never were shot at, and never knew someone that received a call in the middle of the night.
I studied at a UK university where there really is a epidemic of bias against all things defense related, especially US defense related. And in academia, the level of ignorance is stunning. I have to say, almost literally quite a few feel the “Lord of War” movie was a documentary.
Donations to politicos? Yes, both sides, have to cover all bases. But thing is, working government relations you earn a level of trust on the Hill and that is done by being honest. A new weapon system developed, company A puts in a bid, company B (your company) makes a good product but is not the best, so you, as a former serving/combat vet or someone with family at risk, you meet the staffers, make your pitch but you make the pitch in such a way the staffers/member knows you well enough to recognize what you are pitching is not the best solution. The one’s I’ve seen pushing the weaker solution over a better product are civilians that never served and basically came direct from university and blindly do their thing.
Our different opinions are shaped by our experiences and knowledge of the process and such. We disagree, and as I tell my students, just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t make them your enemy.
Thanks for the civil disagreement.
Cheers, my FRiend.