What belief emphasizes the need for a nation to build and maintain a strong military?

Militarism is the belief that a nation should prioritize building and maintaining a strong military as a central component of its national policy. This ideology promotes the view that military power is essential for national strength, security, and influence, often leading to an arms race or aggressive military policies. Countries that adopt militarism typically portray a strong military as vital for defending national interests and projecting power. This mindset can influence governmental decisions, public opinion, and international relations, resulting in policies that favor military readiness and expansion.

Other beliefs listed, such as imperialism and nationalism, may include elements related to military strength, but they focus on broader goals, like expanding territory or fostering national pride, rather than specifically advocating for military strength as a primary emphasis. Pacifism, on the other hand, is fundamentally opposed to military action and promotes peace as a way of resolving conflicts. Thus, militarism distinctly captures the idea of prioritizing a strong military as crucial to national identity and policy.