Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Militarism \Mil"i*ta*rism\, n. [Cf. F. militarisme.]
   1. A military state or condition; reliance on military force
      in administering government; a military system.

   2. The spirit and traditions of military life. --H. Spencer.

Source : WordNet®

militarism
     n : a political orientation of a people or a government to
         maintain a strong military force and to be prepared to
         use it aggresively to defend or promote national
         interests