War, Peace and the Military: Sociological Perspectives

This book explores the social science approaches to explaining and interpreting war, peace, and the military, tracing and reconstructing the basic assumptions constructed and thought processes undertaken by modern social sciences in their research and conceptualization of military violence and the use of force. It also examines the preconditions of such thought and includes a critical reexamination of the tradition of military-sociological research.

Format: Hardback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

This book is a thorough examination of the many social science approaches to explaining and interpreting war, peace, and the military. Its main goal is to trace and rebuild the fundamental presumptions that modern social sciences built and used in their study and conceptualization of military violence and the use of force. In addition to such reconstruction, the goal is also to investigate the conditions that gave rise to such thinking. As a result, this study avoids the creation of an explicit strategy (in the sense of a research strategy), but instead focuses much more on thinking about its subject matter through re-thinking and reflecting on various theoretical approaches and problems.

The study includes a critical reexamination of the tradition of military-sociological research, from the beginning of modern sociology to late-twentieth-century theoretical approaches regarding the security-focused and/or war-driven aspects of modern society.

The book begins by examining the historical development of social science approaches to the study of war, peace, and the military. It explores the various schools of thought that have emerged over time, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism. It also examines the contributions of key theorists such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Hannah Arendt to the understanding of these issues.

The second part of the book focuses on the theoretical frameworks used by social scientists to explain and interpret war, peace, and the military. It examines the concept of power, the role of institutions, the influence of social norms and values, and the dynamics of conflict and cooperation. It also explores the relationship between military power and social change, and the ways in which military interventions can either promote or hinder social progress.

The third part of the book examines the empirical evidence used by social scientists to support their theories and arguments. It explores the use of surveys, interviews, and case studies to collect data and to test the validity of social science theories. It also examines the challenges and limitations of empirical research, and the ways in which social scientists can overcome these challenges to produce reliable and valid findings.

The fourth part of the book discusses the implications of social science research for policy and practice. It examines the ways in which social science insights can be used to inform decision-making in the fields of peace and security, and to develop effective strategies for promoting peace and stability. It also examines the ethical implications of social science research, and the ways in which social scientists can ensure that their research is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the many social science approaches to explaining and interpreting war, peace, and the military. It offers a valuable resource for students, scholars, and policymakers interested in understanding the complex dynamics of these issues, and in developing effective strategies for promoting peace and stability in the world.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783658405205
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023