garrison state: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

The term is most famously associated with American political scientist Harold D. Lasswell in his 1941 essay 'The Garrison State'.

Not exactly. A military dictatorship is a specific form of government where the military has seized direct control. A garrison state is a broader societal condition where military priorities dominate all aspects of life, which could theoretically exist under a civilian government that is subservient to military logic.

Yes, Sparta is often cited as a prime historical example of a garrison state due to its total subordination of society to military discipline and readiness.

This is a subject of debate among scholars. Some analysts use the term critically to describe aspects of U.S. policy (e.g., vast military budget, security apparatus post-9/11), while others argue it does not meet the full definition due to strong civilian control and democratic institutions. The term is more commonly used as a warning than a definitive label.

A society organized on a permanent basis primarily for war, where the military exerts dominant influence over political, economic, and social institutions.

Garrison state is usually academic / political / historical / critical in register.

Garrison state: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡær.ɪ.sən steɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡer.ə.sən steɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.