Six Stops on the National Security Tour

by Miriam Pemberton

The U.S. military economy incorporates hundreds of American communities. This is the first book to connect our national security apparatus to the local level via deeply reported portraits of six carefully selected locations, including military Meccas and out-of-the-way places. They are woven into the warfare economy by bases, nuclear weapons labs, and production sites. The book includes an invaluable overview of how the military is structured, how its budget is made, and what it costs. It also shows how the military economy perpetuates itself. In on-the-ground reporting, Pemberton traces the lines of connection between the tour stops presented here and our country’s foreign policy, industrial policy, and budget priorities. She examines the meaning of national security in the current moment, as climate change becomes what the military itself calls "an urgent and growing threat." And she dramatically demonstrates how redirecting our militarized foreign and industrial policy toward climate security can help these communities become part of the solution. For students, scholars, public servants, and all concerned citizens, this book is essential reading.

Genres: Politics

234 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2022

Reviews

[Ricardo Ogdon]

I have always wondered why the national budget continues to devote such a substantial amount of funding to the military. There are several seemingly straightforward answers, such as the need for a global superpower to project strength, deter adversaries, and protect its interests around the world. However, as Miriam Pemberton demonstrates in Six Stops on the National Security Tour, the reality is far more complex than simply maintaining America's position in the international system.

Pemberton explores several regions of the United States where Department of Defense (DoD) contractors operate massive projects involving thousands of employees, critical research and development efforts, and significant portions of local economic activity. As a result, military spending becomes deeply intertwined with regional economies, making efforts to reduce, diversify, or transition away from defense dependence politically and economically difficult.

The book also examines the consequences of major national security initiatives, including the War on Terror. Pemberton highlights how many of these policies remain highly contested and continue to generate debate among scholars, policymakers, and security experts regarding their effectiveness. The War on Terror, in particular, has cost trillions of dollars to taxpayers and is often cited by critics as an example of a policy whose long-term security benefits remain unclear relative to its enormous financial costs. Through these examples, Pemberton encourages readers to think critically about the relationship between military spending, national security, and economic priorities in the United States.

Overall, Six Stops on the National Security Tour is a thought-provoking and informative examination of the economic and political forces that shape U.S. national security policy. Whether readers ultimately agree with Pemberton's conclusions or not, the book raises important questions about the costs, benefits, and long-term consequences of military spending. It is a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding how defense policy affects not only national security but also local communities and the broader American economy.