Eisenhower's Farewell Address & Warnings

Posted: 6/22/2019

Many are probably very familiar with President Eisenhower’s stark warning 

of the industrial military complex. Here is the prescient quote: 

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.” (emphasis added)

I bet very few are familiar with his other, even more prescient warning just a few paragraphs below the above one:
“Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades.

In this revolution, research has become central; ... A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government. ...

In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. ...

The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.

Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.

It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system-ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society.” (emphasis added) 

I find the second warning in Eisenhower’s Farewell Address much better fleshed out and it is so true in our time! Thanks President Eisenhower!

Sources (S):

Transcript of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address (1961)