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Method and Substance in the Military Field*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2008

Bernard Boëne
Bernard Boëne*
Affiliation:
Professor, University of Rennes II, member of the Research Group on Security and Governance, University of Toulouse I [b.boene@online.fr].
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Abstract

This article tries to assess the cognitive merits of various research programmes in the treatment of military issues. It contends that, on such topics more than on others, method influences conceptualization and theory construction. Having noted the infrequent showings of some programmes in the military field, it goes on to demonstrate, based on the literature produced over a century, that the blames laid at positivism's door are especially justified in it. The Weberian/Simmelian tradition has shown more promise. A brief synthetic formulation of its achievements suggests that it alone accords with Clausewitzian thought, and shows sufficient flexibility to account for recent changes which baffle other programmes, or to open avenues of collaboration with promising new approaches (notably, nonlinear dynamics).

Résumé

L'article entend évaluer comparativement les différentes orientations de recherche sur la chose militaire, qu'il s'agisse des sujets d’étude, des concepts et méthodes comme des théories. La revue de travaux sur un siècle est sévère pour le positivisme. La tradition Simmel/Weber a été plus fructueuse. Un bref essai de synthèse montre sa compatibilité avec la pensée de Clausewitz et ouvre sur la perspective de collaboration avec des approches nouvelles telles que les dynamiques non linéaires.

Zusammenfassung

Der vorliegende Aufsatz setzt sich mit den verschiedenen Forschungsrichtungen im militärischen Bereich auseinander und hebt hervor, dass die Methodik die Konzeptualisierung und den theoretischen Aufbau beeinflusst. Hundert Jahre Literatur zu diesem Thema lassen den Positivimus in einem fahlen Licht erscheinen. Die Simmelsche und Webersche Tradition scheint vielversprechender und dem Gedankengut Clausewitz näher, wie ein knapper Essai aufweist. Es zeichnen sich neue Perspektiven für eine Zusammenarbeit ab, die auch nichtlineare Dynamiken miteinbezieht.

Type
Research Articles
Information
European Journal of Sociology / Archives Européennes de Sociologie , Volume 49 , Issue 3 , December 2008 , pp. 367 - 398
Copyright
Copyright © A.E.S. 2008

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