Understanding war: The sociological perspective revisited

Abstract

Although war encompasses various dimensions – social, political, cultural, historical, anthropological and ecological – with significant economic implications, recent studies increasingly emphasize the importance of sociological perspectives in unravelling its complexities. I posit that war is profoundly shaped by social dynamics that have led to the development of contemporary warfare, culminating in the tumultuous twentieth century marked by increased coercion, organizational structures, disciplinary measures, tactical utilization of technology, ideological dissemination across broad masses of the population and micro-social bonds of solidarity intertwined with individual battlefield experiences. Furthermore, I argue that understanding these dynamics enhances the conceptual sociological comprehension of war, which is equally vital alongside historical, political, economic, cultural, anthropological and psychological dimensions that influence war. My analysis seeks to elucidate the social transformations driving the contemporary surge in war and warfare, drawing upon established sociological theories by scholars such as Bauman, Centeno and Malešević, who consistently validate these societal shifts.