Postmodernity's Impact on the Military

Abstract

Postmodernism is a much broader cultural phenomenon and a fairly neutral term. Arguably, it is everywhere, in advertising, in buildings, in the narrative, in music, in our daily lives, in the way they dress, talk, etc. Postmodernism is to some extent, the condition of our time. Postmodernism is instead a series of arguments, theses, propositions, it is an interpretation of history and politics, ethics and the relationship between ethics and politics. On the other hand, military institutions are inherently hierarchical and bureaucratic. In fact, postmodern forces tend to be decentralized and possess different characteristics such as structural and cultural interpenetration of Civilian and Military, multilateral missions, the internationalization etc. This research presents the impact of postmodernism on the military in relation to its strategy and other support changes from technological and structural aspects.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion5

Impact on Military6

Post-modernity and Military Strategy9

Use of Technology and Military Innovation in Postmodern Era10

Technology and Warfare11

Changes in the American Military Bureaucracy14

Conclusion17

References19

Postmodernity's Impact on the Military

Introduction

Postmodernism is a term that describes the contemporary intellectual and cultural condition, and as such refers to intellectual discourse and especially philosophical multidirectional influences the culture and society in recent times (Gray, 1998). The term postmodernism, however, refers to a particular type of speech, arguing or interprets various theoretical approaches, and which introduces the problems and concerns of a new type of fiction and away from the traditional rules, which often allude to the generic term of no less problematic postmodernist fiction (Parrish, 2008).

It is difficult to find a definition of postmodernism as perhaps one might find other ideologies as it is not easy to conceptualize something that is happening at this very moment. The concept of postmodernism is so postmodern that means many things. Sociological researchers claim that humanity is going through one of the most important turning points in its history, comparable to the rise of agriculture. Postmodernism is a philosophical classification of this historic moment of transition, typical of a period of crisis that significantly affects society (Metz, 2000). Postmodernism has emerged as a particular ideological, theoretical currents associated certain unity of philosophical and general theoretical assumptions and methodological approaches. He quickly got into all spheres of social and humanities, including sociology and began to have an impact on various areas of public life - politics, culture, and international relations.

No one can deny the fact that military has been the center of impact seen by the postmodernism. During the late modern era, perceived threat changed from fear of enemy invasion to nuclear war caused by high nuclear confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. This bipolar competition created two groups of states that sided with the U.S. or U.S.S.R and forced states to support their alliances. As many high technological weapon systems were introduced, the military became a large professional army and more and more military professionals played the role as managers or technicians. However, prolonged competition and some unsuccessful foreign policies like Vietnam had diluted a strong ...