Re: Introduction: War Without Exits
It seems strange to label the acquisition of wealth "freedom", as Bacevich does. However, I do agree that such economic goals, along with the preferences of big business, are a major factor behind US military and foreign policy, especially since the Cold War ended.
However, other factors he didn't mention are also relevant. Humanitarian concerns, not economic motives, led to US intervention in Yugoslavia in the 90's. The US overthrew the Taliban in desperately poor Afghanistan as a response to the 9/11 attacks. The conservatives advocating the Iraq invasion sought to increase US geopolitical power; controlling oil was just part of the rationale.
There is one connection between freedom as typically defined (individual rights) and the increasingly materialistic nature of society. Over the last several decades, American has rejected many of its previously held beliefs. The decline of racial prejudice, sexism, religious discrimination, and homophobia is a good thing. At the same time, community ties weakened and people ended up focusing more on their individual materialistic self-interest.
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