Red Militarism
In: Journal of peace research, Volume 17, Issue 2, p. 135-149
ISSN: 0022-3433
The term Red Militarism, coined in the early years of Soviet Russia, was recently used following the USSR invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Presented is an overview of the Red Militarism debate from its beginnings through most recent usage. The USSR debate ended when Trotsky left the country; it was revived again by Stalin with his Red Army purges. Recent manifestations of Red Militarism occurred in the ideological split between the Communist parties of the USSR & China, with both sides making accusations. Militarism is further examined in the context of the socialism proclaimed by leftist juntas in Third World countries, & found to be a more coherent development than usually imagined. The rise of the militarism phenomenon in more advanced socialist countries, notably the USSR, is linked to the fact that these states are ruled by bureaucratic elites. Red Militarism must be constantly denounced & opposed if the historical cause of the labor movement is to be preserved. Modified HA.