“The war industries in many countries and the enormous trade in weapons of all kinds generate corruption and fuel conflict throughout the world. The existence of an immensely powerful military-industrial complex constitutes a danger to democracy, both internationally and domestically, because it follows its own logic and operates independently of popular participation.”
Alfred de Zayas' comments to the remarks made by NGOs and States during the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council Session http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13713&LangID=E Comments by Alfred de Zayas, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, following the Interactive Dialogue on the presentation of his thematic report.
2013
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Alfred de Zayas 176
American United Nations official 1947Related quotes

The League of Nations - A Practical Suggestion, C: The League and World-Peace, Hodder and Stoughton, 1918

Source: Another World Is Possible : Globalization and Anti-capitalism (2002), Chapter 4, The Colour Of Money, p. 150

The Coronavirus Pandemic Will Forever Alter the World Order, by Henry A. Kissinger, The Wall Street Journal https://www.henryakissinger.com/articles/the-coronavirus-pandemic-will-forever-alter-the-world-order/, April 3, 2020
2020s

United Nations General Assembly - Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/IntOrder/A-68-284_en.pdf.
2013

“Government is the Entertainment division of the military-industrial complex.”
Quote appearing widely on internet, but without reliable sourcing; variants and possible origins discussed at: The Big Apple (10 October 2012) https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/government_is_the_entertainment_division_of_the_military_industrial_complex Variants: I say politics is the entertainment branch of industry, and government is what we need. We have a diverse population in the United States, with all kinds of different needs that have to be taken care of. That is the righteous function of government. Politics is bullshit, basically. Politics is involved with statesmanship. And I do make a distinction between those things. If you are making a political statement, remember, you are not addressing the real needs of government. You are just talking about the Madison Avenue aspect. So think about that difference. Interview in Keyboard magazine, Vol. 13 (1987), p. 74; later published in Keyboard Presents the Best of the '80s : The Artists, Instruments, and Techniques of an Era (2008) edited by Ernie Rideout, Stephen Fortner, Michael Gallant, p. 125 https://books.google.com/books?id=liknOblq79YC&pg=PA125 I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Politics Is the Entertainment Branch of Industry. C-SPAN’s coverage of governmental proceedings is wonderful. Caution! Buffoons on the Hill! Wallowing in blabber and spew, regiments of ex-lawyers and used-car salesmen attempt to distract us from the naughty little surprises served up by deregulated corporate America. The Real Frank Zappa Book (1989), co-written with Peter Occhiogrosso, p. 322 Government is the entertainment division of the military-industrial complex. We Are All Normal (and we want our freedom): A Collection of Contemporary Nordic Artists Writings (2002) edited by Kaye Sander and Simon Sheikh, p. 365
Disputed

Interview with Laura Knoy, New Hampshire Public Radio (5 November 2003)
Context: I think General Eisenhower was exactly right, I think we should be concerned about the military-industrial complex. I think if you look at where the country is today you've consolidated all these defense firms into just a few large firms — like Halliburton — and with contracts and contacts at the top level of government. You've got most of the retired generals are one way or another associated with the defense firms — that's the reason that you'll find very few of them speaking out in any public way — I'm not. When I got out I determined I wasn't going to sell arms, I was going to do as little as possible with the Department of Defense because I just figured it was time to make a new start. But I think the military-industrial complex does wield a lot of influence — I'd like to see us create a different complex. And I'm going to be talking about foreign policy in a major speech tomorrow, but we need to create an agency that is not about waging war but about creating conditions for peace around the world. We need some people who will be advocates for peace, advocates for economic development abroad, not just advocates for better weapon systems. So we need to create countervailing power to the military-industrial complex.

Statement on the Iraq War Resolution http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2007/cr021407.htm (February 14, 2007).
2000s, 2006-2009