Military thinkers, policymakers and generals alike have devoted a great deal of attention to the logistical, technological and operational dimensions of strategy rather than to the cultural and social aspects of it, with the result that their policies and their analysis have often been proved to be incomplete, deficient, and erroneous. This paper argues that in order to understand how Western states fight in war, a major focus on cultural variables is crucial. In particular, the article argues that the contemporary Western way of war is largely a reflection of the way Western societies think about death. Indeed the value that Western societies attribute to their soldiers’ lives is at the origin of a great cultural shift, which has contributed to radically change how Western states fight in war. In doing so the article also explores the military and moral shortcomings of the present Western way of war.
La vita e la morte nell'arte occidentale della guerra
ZAMBERNARDI, LORENZO
2013
Abstract
Military thinkers, policymakers and generals alike have devoted a great deal of attention to the logistical, technological and operational dimensions of strategy rather than to the cultural and social aspects of it, with the result that their policies and their analysis have often been proved to be incomplete, deficient, and erroneous. This paper argues that in order to understand how Western states fight in war, a major focus on cultural variables is crucial. In particular, the article argues that the contemporary Western way of war is largely a reflection of the way Western societies think about death. Indeed the value that Western societies attribute to their soldiers’ lives is at the origin of a great cultural shift, which has contributed to radically change how Western states fight in war. In doing so the article also explores the military and moral shortcomings of the present Western way of war.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
