Ecofeminist Analysis of Militarism and the War on Terrorism :: Feminism Feminist Women Criticism

Ecofeminist Analysis of Militarism and the War on Terrorism      Ã‚   Since the start of our retaliation against terrorism, war, and the military-industrial complex used to support war, have become extremely important topics. While accomplishing its primary objective, war also destroys the innocent. War hits the young, old, women and children. The environment is partially destroyed in the country in which the war is fought. Both a feminist and environmentalist perspective are useful when analyzing militarism and its policies of domination and oppression.    Feminists see the military system as another patriarchal institution of domination that values the masculine over the feminine. War usually exploits women and other marginalized groups.    Environmentalists proclaim that the military-industrial complex is the nation’s largest industry responsible for the most pollution and mass destruction in the world.   Janis Birkland, a well-known ecofeminist and author of the essay entitled "Ecofeminism: Linking Theory and Practice", argues that this discussion would force us to accept that the enemy is not "out there" but also within us (36).    Militarism becomes an environmental issue and a feminist issue. To combine the two ideologies, ecofeminism creates a more complex thorough analysis of the destructive nature of militarism. Ecofeminism creates a new understanding and a new vision of criticizing the established military culture that exists in our world today. Ecofeminism links the oppression of women and nature as one in the same. The same system that exploits and oppresses women also turns and degrades the environment. The military destroys the environment and perpetuates the patriarchal culture by reinforcing the masculine is dominant over the feminine. Ecofeminist analysis allows citizens to become more aware and informed about the destructive nature of the military.    Militarism, a policy or principle of supporting the maintenance of a large military establishment, is more than just war and destruction of life notes James A. Donovan, a retired military general and author of Militarism, U.S.A. (25). The military is involved in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Economic, social, cultural, and our natural world are immensely affected. Stephen E. Ambrose and James Barber, editors of The Military and American Society, assert that the military dictates our foreign policies, economic policies, allocation of natural resources, college and university programs and funding, degradation of the environment, and the education of millions of non-highschool graduates (4).    When analyzing militarism and all the social and environmental consequences, ecofeminism creates a comprehensive holistic perspective.