Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Inc.: Technology, idealism and rebellion.
Item
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Title
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Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Inc.: Technology, idealism and rebellion.
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Identifier
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AAI9732947
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identifier
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9732947
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Creator
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McCabe, Dolores.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Stanley Aronowitz
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Date
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1997
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, Social Structure and Development | Sociology, Industrial and Labor Relations | Sociology, Individual and Family Studies | Political Science, General
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Abstract
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In all wars, there lies a central question: What is the decisive factor between victoy and defeat? The issue is ultimately decided by the soldier in his willingness to fight and die for a cause he feels is just. When that factor is missing, the spirit of idealism serves as the basis for questioning the task itself. Military defection and resistance will follow, not out of a concern for his safety or comfort, but on the basis of moral outrage.;The Vietnam Veterans Against the War is important as the moral catalyst for those elements who no longer could tolerate the injustice or goals and conduct of the war. Their repudiation of the Vietnam War cannot be faulted by an accusation of cowardice or dereliction of duty; many had served in the most hazardous theatres and occupations of that war.;This study examines the factors leading to their radicalization and impact upon a war that was unjust in its material pursuit and in its inhumane methods, as well. This dissertation shows that it was the inhumane nature of the war that served as the major catalyst for the transition to rebellion through an idealistic rejection of war's modern material reductionism. In this, the alteration of traditional military professional into modern careerist was instrumental; however, the remote, impersonal and deadly imposition of technological overkill to compensate for the loss of human will underlay the historical shift into rebellion.;The significance of this finding will show that the Vietnam Syndrome remains steady within the American military, which has learned nothing from the Vietnam War, except to intensify its pursuit of materialist means and ends. As such, the idealist is today recreating the ancient role of the warrior pursuing truth and justice through his courage and firm conviction that such 'will to truth' ultimately can overcome the mightiest materialistic nations and armies in the world.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
