[jobu]

Most people view the term "Military Industrial Complex" from the view of the primary definition of complex - "consisting of many different and connected parts".

It seems however, that Eisenhower intended that phrase to use the psychoanalytic definition of complex - "a related group of emotionally significant ideas that are completely or partly repressed and that cause psychic conflict leading to abnormal mental states or behavior". More of a dysfunctional mental state of the nation than an actual physical interaction.

[klenwell]

It seems to me the two complexes reinforce one another. Something akin to Sinclair's observation: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it."

But that is in interesting point that you make. I had never considered it from that angle before. Works either way for me. And even better together. Eisenhower: America's Derrida.

[rl3]

>It seems however, that Eisenhower intended that phrase to use the psychoanalytic definition of complex ...

No, he did not. [1]

While that's certainly an interesting thought as well as a unique angle, nothing I can find suggests that it was his intent.

Moreover, the usage of the term in context of the speech itself is evidence enough:

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex." [2]

Eisenhower clearly used the term as if it were a concrete entity, not as an abstract reference to a psychiatric state.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military%E2%80%93industrial_com...

[2] http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents...