I've read papers that actually argue that militarism and war are responsible for human progress. These authors try to make the point that war and militarism have increased progress rather than impeded it. They point to the airplane and World War One as an example.

This is nonsense. Violence has had some influence on humanity development, but has held it back rather than helping it the other way. I'm sure that the veterans here will argue that war has helped humankind more than peace has, but that's the sort of thing they'd be expected to say.

The US and its greedy warrior culture has caused violence around the world as long as it has been in existence.