The excerpt about the military-industrial complex warns that...

• A. It would promote global peace and stability
• B. An overgrown military establishment could pose a threat democracy
• C. The military-industrial complex could pose a threat to democracy
• D. It would undermine civil liberties and democratic norms

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that a military-industrial complex could threaten democracy. When the military, defense industry, and government grow too tightly linked, their combined influence can steer policy, budgets, and decisions in directions that serve those interests rather than the public good. That weakens civilian control, reduces accountability, and can erode the safeguards that keep democratic processes fair. While civil liberties and democratic norms are part of this broader threat, the strongest statement is that such a complex could threaten democracy itself. The other options either project a positive outcome, or describe a narrower or less accurate aspect of the warning.