Karl Marx theorized that the social structures of a society were determined by its economic structures. The concept he developed, which he named “the materialist conception of history”, is today known as historical materialism. In brief, Marx proposed sociopolitical change proceeded as follows:
- Technological innovations unlock a new, more effective mode of production.
- Society reorganizes itself around this mode of production.
In his own time, Marx was chiefly repudiating the notion that progress in philosophical ideals was the primary catalyst of sociopolitical progress. He thus relegated Enlightenment thinkers such as Locke and Voltaire to supporting roles in the revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries, and elevated economic changes to the narrative center. In so doing, he sought to show that history’s broad arcs could be predicted scientifically, as the natural consequences of shifting economic conditions.
However, Marx’s preoccupation with economic forces led to a fatal misstep in his incipient science of history. I propose to show that historical sociopolitical structures have been determined primarily by the military structures of a society rather than by its economic structures. While it is true that the most economically productive social structures are often also the most militarily effective structures, this is not always the case. Indeed history provides some interesting counterexamples. These counterexamples and the theory they elucidate can help us understand our own times, and can point to likely future sociopolitical developments.
I thus propose a new conception of history I dub “historical militarism.” This conception of history seeks to explain sociopolitical changes in terms of shifts in military advantage under changing technological conditions. These shifts can occur either between societies or within factions of a society. In this conception, Marx’s narrative of change is replaced by a new narrative:
- Technological innovations unlock a new, more effective means of military organization.
- Society reorganizes itself around this military organization.
Notes:
- Greek city states: Why city states? Defense > Offense, no ability to attack fortified cities / successfully siege. Athens democracy? Sea power, rowers. Sparta aristocracy? Land power, professional warrior caste.
- Feudal society to democratic republics: Shift from expensive knights to muskets
Revenge of Vercingetorix 