Large-scale weapons systems have increasingly become part of a patronage system
justified by claims about national defense. American politics tends to proceed by
distribution, redistribution, and compromise. The disjunction between the "virtually"
autonomous processes of worldwide weapons innovation and American incrementalism
lead to a potentially disastrous situation. This situation is characterized by potential
chaos in the integration of complex, interdependent combat and communication systems
as well as a mindless arms race that seems to defy political control. A modest proposal
is made to suggest a potential bureaucratic change agent.
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