Dwight D. Eisenhower

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”

January 17, 1961 · Broadcast · Washington, D.C., White House (radio and television)

Broadcast three days before he left office. The sentences come in the passage on the relationship between a permanent arms industry and the government.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Radio and Television Address to the American People, 17 January 1961, The American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara Source

“We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”

January 17, 1961 · Broadcast · Washington, D.C., White House (radio and television)

Immediately follows the military-industrial passage of the farewell address. "This combination" refers to the military establishment and the arms industry.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Radio and Television Address to the American People, 17 January 1961, The American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara Source

“Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.”

January 17, 1961 · Broadcast · Washington, D.C., White House (radio and television)

The factual passage that precedes the military-industrial warning in the farewell address, comparing earlier wartime conversion of civilian industry with a standing defence industry.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Radio and Television Address to the American People, 17 January 1961, The American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara Source

“Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity.”

January 17, 1961 · Broadcast · Washington, D.C., White House (radio and television)

From the part of the farewell address on the technological revolution and federally funded research, which precedes his warning about a scientific-technological elite.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Radio and Television Address to the American People, 17 January 1961, The American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara Source

“Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose.”

January 17, 1961 · Broadcast · Washington, D.C., White House (radio and television)

From the section on international relations and arms control, after the military-industrial passage. He goes on to say he leaves office with a sense of disappointment that a lasting peace is not in sight.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Radio and Television Address to the American People, 17 January 1961, The American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara Source