War, Profit and Symbolism

War is commodified under neoliberalism, merging corporate profits, political agendas, and gendered symbolism while masking human costs and ethical dilemmas, writes Sanchita Dash.

- Sanchita Dash.

In modern times, war is increasingly shaped by neoliberal ideologies that commodify conflict and rationalize militarism through cost-benefit paradigms.

This neoliberal turn not only influences foreign and defense policy but also reflects in the cultural, gendered, and symbolic frameworks that justify and normalize military engagements. In countries like India, these dynamics are further nuanced through the strategic use of national symbolism, patriarchal imagery, and tokenistic inclusion, as evidenced by recent military operations like Operation Sindoor.

Wars are often waged to achieve specific political goals, whether it's territorial expansion, regime change, or the assertion of ideological dominance. For instance, the U.S. involvement in Vietnam was driven by the desire to contain communism, a political ideology perceived as a threat to Western democratic values.

In the Indian context, military engagements such as the Kargil War were undergirded by objectives of territorial sovereignty and national pride. Similarly, the Balakot airstrikes following the Pulwama attack were not just retaliatory but strategically timed within the electoral calendar, enhancing the political capital of ruling elites.

Wars also serve as tools for leaders to consolidate power, divert attention from domestic crises, and galvanize national sentiment. Margaret Thatcher's surge in popularity following the Falklands War and Narendra Modi’s political momentum post Balakot are indicative of this pattern.