Postmodern Warfare: Beyond the Horizon

Abstract

The idea that warfare is changing drastically has garnered significant attention over the past few decades. Some commentators contend that such change is revolutionary, that warfare is entering a new era. Indeed, many historians, sociologists, and even practitioners of warfare argue that the entire history of humankind is entering a new era. A plethora of descriptors exist to describe such change, including terms such as the information age, the end of history, fourth generation warfare, or the postmodern epoch. Current events often serve as the basis for pundits to sound these calls of change. New technologies, developments in international politics, and changes in civil-military relationships seem to arrive quickly and promise unending alterations to society. However, a proper assessment of these developments must rely on a theory-based analysis. Furthermore, this assessment must be cognizant of great historical continuities in war and politics.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA615083

Entities

People

  • Jeff Geraghty

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Programming
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Employment
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Geography
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Systems
  • Recreation
  • Sociopolitics

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design