Armchair warrior
Encyclopedia
Armchair Warrior is a term alluding to fighting from the comfort of one’s living room. The word is considered a pejorative term that describes speaking out in support of a war, battle or fight by someone that avoided or has little military experience. This differs from slacktivism
in that no action needs to be done by an Armchair Warrior beyond stating a point of view vs an act to give the appearance of making a difference from a slacktivist. It is closer to being a variation of Chickenhawk
which was a slang term used during the Vietnam War
to describe a superior officer that wasn’t on the frontlines.
Examples of activities labeled as "Armchair Warrior" include advocating sending troops to settle a conflict, lobbying to keep defense jobs to make outdated military equipment as part of the Military Industrial Complex or to make political messages on radio or Television talk shows in favor or using armed forces in a conflict over trying diplomatic channels.
An early example of using the term "Armchair Warrior" appeared in a Twilight Zone
episode originally aired on March 3, 1963 called No Time Like the Past
. Rod Serling
wrote a speech for the episode that is made by a time traveler directed towards a banker calling for sending young soldiers to fight a war against American Indians in the late 1800‘s. Serling had received a Purple Heart
for injuries incurred while serving as a paratrooper in World War II
.
Don Henley
referred to Armchair Warriors in the song "The End of the Innocence
".
Slacktivism
Slacktivism is a portmanteau formed out of the words slacker and activism. The word is usually considered a pejorative term that describes "feel-good" measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction...
in that no action needs to be done by an Armchair Warrior beyond stating a point of view vs an act to give the appearance of making a difference from a slacktivist. It is closer to being a variation of Chickenhawk
Chickenhawk (politics)
Chickenhawk is a political epithet used in the United States to criticize a politician, bureaucrat, or commentator who strongly supports a war or other military action, yet who actively avoided military service when of age.The term is meant to indicate that the person in question is cowardly or...
which was a slang term used during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
to describe a superior officer that wasn’t on the frontlines.
Examples of activities labeled as "Armchair Warrior" include advocating sending troops to settle a conflict, lobbying to keep defense jobs to make outdated military equipment as part of the Military Industrial Complex or to make political messages on radio or Television talk shows in favor or using armed forces in a conflict over trying diplomatic channels.
An early example of using the term "Armchair Warrior" appeared in a Twilight Zone
Twilight zone
-Television series and spinoffs:*The Twilight Zone, the anthology television series and its franchise:**The Twilight Zone , the 1959–1964 original television series***Twilight Zone: The Movie, a 1983 film based on the original series...
episode originally aired on March 3, 1963 called No Time Like the Past
No Time Like the Past
"No Time Like the Past" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Paul Driscoll uses a time machine with the noble intention to go back in time and alter past events...
. Rod Serling
Rod Serling
Rodman Edward "Rod" Serling was an American screenwriter, novelist, television producer, and narrator best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his science fiction anthology TV series, The Twilight Zone. Serling was active in politics, both on and off the screen and helped form...
wrote a speech for the episode that is made by a time traveler directed towards a banker calling for sending young soldiers to fight a war against American Indians in the late 1800‘s. Serling had received a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
for injuries incurred while serving as a paratrooper in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
referred to Armchair Warriors in the song "The End of the Innocence
The End of the Innocence (song)
"The End of the Innocence" is the lead single and title track from Don Henley's third solo studio album, The End of the Innocence, in 1989. The song was written by Bruce Hornsby, with lyrics added by Henley, and both perform the song live in their respective concerts...
".
See also
- Back-seat driver
- ChickenhawkChickenhawk (politics)Chickenhawk is a political epithet used in the United States to criticize a politician, bureaucrat, or commentator who strongly supports a war or other military action, yet who actively avoided military service when of age.The term is meant to indicate that the person in question is cowardly or...
- SlacktivismSlacktivismSlacktivism is a portmanteau formed out of the words slacker and activism. The word is usually considered a pejorative term that describes "feel-good" measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction...
- Internet petitionInternet petitionAn Internet petition is a form of petition posted on a website. Visitors to the website in question can add their email addresses or names, and after enough "signatures" have been collected, the resulting letter may be delivered to the subject of the petition, usually via e-mail.-Pros and cons:The...
- Limousine liberalLimousine liberalLimousine liberal is a pejorative American political term used to illustrate perceived hypocrisy by a political liberal of upper class or upper middle class status; including calls for the use of mass transit while frequently using limousines or private jets, claiming environmental consciousness...
- Champagne socialistChampagne socialistChampagne socialist is a pejorative political term originating in the United Kingdom. The phrase is used to describe self identified socialists whose comfortable upper middle class lifestyles are perceived to be incompatible with their professed political convictions...
- Chardonnay socialistChardonnay socialistChardonnay socialist is a derogatory Australasian term used to describe those on the political left with comfortable middle or upper-class incomes, tertiary education, and a penchant for the finer things in life, Chardonnay being a form of white wine for example.It is similar in thrust to the North...
- Gauche caviarGauche caviarGauche caviar is a pejorative French term to describe someone who claims to be a socialist while living in a way that contradicts socialist values...
- Narcotizing DysfunctionNarcotizing DysfunctionThe term narcotizing dysfunction was first identified in the article Mass Communication, Popular Taste and Organized Social Action, by Paul F. Lazarsfeld, and Robert K. Merton.The term refers to a social consequence of mass media...