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Militarism

Definition

Militarism is the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.

Analogy

Think of militarism like being the biggest, toughest kid on the playground. You're always ready for a fight, you've got all the best gear (weapons), and you're not afraid to show off your strength to get what you want.

Related terms

Arms Race: This refers to a competition between nations for superiority in the development and accumulation of weapons. It's like two rivals constantly trying to outdo each other with better and more powerful toys.

Imperialism: This is when one country extends its influence over another through force or diplomacy. Imagine if that big kid on the playground started telling everyone else what games they could play and how they should play them.

War Hawks: These are people who advocate for war as a solution to diplomatic issues. They're like those friends who always suggest solving problems by fighting instead of talking things out.