Militarism

Militarism is commonly associated with predatory societies and power-hungry rulers, from Assyrians and Spartans, Romans and Mongols, to the expansionist regimes of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. But militarism has not been confined to the "star players". This reader reveals all manner of aggressive rulers and expansionist systems. Militarism connotes more than unadulterated aggression. It encapsulates a way of life and involves the inculcation of military values as an end in itself. It endorses the military ethic and applauds the virtues of discipline and display. These and other factors can be seen not only in nation states but in small-scale societies, such as modern African and South American states. This book looks at the factors which have been held to account for the rise of militarism in particular social contexts. Case studies are included which contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of militarism.