Analysis of Eisenhower's farewell adress - Term Paper Example

In itself, it is a vision and a masterpiece addressing the need for balance in all aspects of our undertakings. Today, we are going to go on an odyssey, exploring in detail the constituents of the Farewell Address – the words and thoughts of Eisenhower. Why? - The theme in the address The farewell speech delivered by Eisenhower on the last night of his post as president was centered on subjects vital for citizens of any country aspiring towards progress and better quality of life. He reflected on important issues like time, defense, intricacies between military and industries, vigilance and use of wise judgments pertaining to the need of time.

But what underlined each arena of the subject that he touched was the counseling for balance as a common denominator. He emphasized on the need to weigh each matter in the light of priorities, need, necessity, consequences and its implications. Hence, laying stress on the prominence and demand of balance in each context. In his speech his concern for the threat to American liberty at the hands of Communism and Soviet Union was clearly discernible. He made reference to the four wars that took place in the twentieth century three amongst which involved the United States of America.

His point was not only to have the ability to encounter such danger but also to do so in a manner that did not put American liberty in jeopardy. He also feared that in accordance with the progress in the modern age perpetual expansion of the federal state would pose a threat to the ideals along which the American society had worked for ages. He repeatedly accentuated the need to hold the precarious line of balance in regard while taking decisions that would not only affect domestic but also foreign policies, and reminded the listeners that proposals must be considered in a broader prospect.

Prospects that would take into account the consistency, maintenance, efficiency and balance between as well as within national programs. The reason behind stressing repeatedly on the need for balance was essentially made because of potential threats inherent in a big government. However that was definitely not all. Eisenhower identified in his speech several other foci that could culminate in imbalance. One of many was to condemn the use of material assets belonging to the future generations as mortgage and hence desecrate the valuable elements and symbols of political history and spiritual heritage.

Amongst his greatest concerns was to not become enslaved in the web created by “scientific- technological elite”. He also referred in his speech to another potential source of imbalance, the attainment of uncalled for and undesirable influence of the military-industrial complex, cautioning here on the misplacement of power and its potential to weave disasters. What? – The type of document The farewell speech of Eisenhower was a piece that issued caution to the nature while addressing matters of grave concern that were controversial but significant to touch at that point in time.

His speech centered on his concern regarding dissemination of peace in the world and the need to develop friendly international ties and relations. Furthermore, his calling of attention towards the military and the domestic arms industry and the possibilities and implications associated with it along with the need for surveillance demonstrated the need for judicious decisions. His address was not only limited to that point in time but was a vision that