War, Economy and the Military Mind

This book explores the relationship between European society and the military institutions it fostered from 1815 to 1918, examining the factors that held them together and the effects of their growing dominance on society. It argues that military institutions are separate from the societies they serve and that a growing gap of misunderstanding and incomprehension yawned between the two.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 142 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1976, this comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between European society and the military institutions that emerged during the transformative period from 1815 to 1918. During this era, armies and navies underwent significant expansion in terms of complexity, cost, and size, marking a pivotal shift in global military dynamics. The first half of the book takes a deep dive into these institutions, exploring their internal dynamics, self-perception, and the external pressures they faced from society at large. As the significance of military institutions grew, scholars began to examine the profound effects of their interpenetration on society.

Part 2 of the book focuses on the consequences of this growing dominance of society by its defenders. By the conclusion of the period covered by this book, the era of total mobilization for the war effort had arrived, reinforcing the earlier findings that military institutions exist as separate entities from the societies they inhabit and that a growing gap of misunderstanding and incomprehension existed between the two.

This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between European society and the military institutions that shaped its history during this transformative period. Its comprehensive analysis and insightful perspectives shed light on the complex dynamics that shaped the world during this critical juncture, providing a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the modern world.

Weight: 270g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367616557