Postmodernism and the Source of Military Strength in the Anglo West

Abstract

Believing that cultural change must be rapid and thorough, many analysts are calling for a revolution in military culture as a necessary condition for a broader revolution in military affairs. This article argues for cultural reform in Anglo-Western armies, although much applies to other nations and other branches of service. Army transformation must draw upon the source of military strength in the cultural heritage of the host society. In the Anglo West, social capital, societal discipline, modern bureaucracy, and professionalism provide the foundation for military cohesion, discipline, efficiency, innovation, and legitimacy. Modern armies require postmodern reinvention to correct for misapplied modernism that has led to personnel turbulence, careerism, and factionalism. Although the source of economies of scale, modern bureaucracy can also undermine social stability and inhibit adaptability. Stages of psychological maturation parallel the stages of professional awareness required for balance among army stakeholders. The article concludes by suggesting a new force structure, personnel strategy, and governance system that emphasizes stability, local reputation, productive bureaucracy, professional streaming, and legitimacy for the military social contract.

Measuring Military Identity: Scale Development and Psychometric Evaluations

“…These apparently contradictory findings could, however, be seen as supported by the more controversial theories of Battistelli (2000) and Bondy (2004), who claim that postmodern characteristics and qualities are perfectly suited for the complex and unpredictable characteristics of actual military operations. A strong relationship between professionalism and warriorism was also detected.…”

The Role of Effort–Reward Imbalance for Reservists on a Military Deployment

“…Griffith, 2008Griffith, , 2009. Bondy (2004) stated that rewards from the social environment support the psychological contract between servicemembers and the military.…”

The Embodied Soldier: Towards a New Epistemological Foundation of Soldiering Skills in the (Post) Modernized Norwegian Armed Forces

“…First and foremost that Moskos and colleagues, although In regards to the debate on the usefulness of postmodernism, Harry Bondy argues that two different schools of thought have emerged. 109 The first, he says, is made up of those who look for sociological and political trends that they call postmodern. Within this school, he includes Battistelli,Burk,Coker,Dandeker,Moskos,Snider and Williams.…”

“…Sociological trends affect Western military culture, but are not core issues. 112 The second school, Bondy states, comprises those scholars that apply postmodernism to the cultural assumptions, behavioral patterns and institutional characteristics of the military in Western society. 113 This group, he argues, "marvel at postmodernism's seemingly limitless novelty, scope and importance -but balk at serious analysis."…”