The Ambiguous Legacy of C. Wright Mills: A Reply to G. William Domhoff

Domhoff fails to recognize that we agree the World War II mobilization contributed to the economic, political, and ideological rehabilitation of monopoly sector firms. Our dispute centers on the rise of the Pentagon within the state and the state planning of the defense industries during and after the war. Domhoff rejects C. Wright Mills' view that World War II allowed for a simultaneous victory for military and economic elites. And Domhoff is even more hostile to this positive-sum account when stated in terms of military-oriented statebuilding. Parallel to his zero-sum view of politics, Domhoff fights a holy war against his theoretical enemies in which there can only be one winner. Domhoff's approach to theoretical debate cannot be justified logically or methodologically. Moreover, Domhoff diverts attention from our more important responsibilities: analyzing U.S. militarism and contributing to its reduction. To dismantle the Cold War economy, we must learn from one another and expand our collective understanding — even when we disagree as Domhoff and I do.