In this article, I present a theory of American military imperialism that combines three structural factors: the military-industrial complex (MIC); elite control of public policy; and elite, imperial ideology. I argue that because this theory is more plausible and empirically grounded than major Weberian and Marxist theories of war, it can provide a better explanation for specific US military interventions. As a theory of American military imperialism, it is also more nuanced than existing power elite theories. A case study of the 2003 Iraq War is presented to illustrate the utility of the theory. The case study shows that in invading Iraq, key Bush administration officials sought to expand the MIC and their own decision power making within it, and that these preferences were associated with their specific elite social backgrounds, and the hardline ideology they subscribed to. I conclude with suggestions for future research.

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