The evolution of war: a cross-cultural study

HRAF Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: 165 •
By Otterbein, Keith F.

Abstract

This book investigates the evolution of military organizations and their activities. Hypotheses frequently relate military organizations to political variables. Data suggested that more politically centralized societies have more sophisticated military organizations which are more likely to be successful in conflict (though military sophistication does not appear to deter attack).

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)
Ethnographic Reports

Hypotheses (30)

HypothesisSupported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that the military organization is composed of professionals" (22)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that there will be subordination within the military organization" (25)Not Supported
"The greater the percentage of professionals in the military organization, the higher the degree of subordination" (25)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the less likely that war can be initiated by any member of the political community" (29)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that war will be initiated by announcement or by mutual arrangement" (34)Supported
"When war is initiated by a responsible party of the political community, it is likely that war will be initiated by announcement or by mutual agreement" (34)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that war will be terminated by diplomatic negotiations" (36)Supported
"Political communities which terminate war by diplomatic negotiations are likely to initiate war by announcement or mutual arrangement" (39)Not Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that the tactical system will be based upon both lines and ambushes" (41)Supported
"When war is initiated by a responsible party of the political community, it is likely that the tactical system will be based upon both lines and ambushes" (41)Supported
"The greater the percentage of professionals in the military organization, the more likely that the tactical system will be based upon both lines and ambushes" (43)Not Supported
"The greater the percentage of professionals in the military organization, the more likely that shock weapons are used" (45)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that shock weapons are used" (46)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that body armor is used" (49)Supported
"The greater the percentage of professionals in the military organization, the more likely that body armor is used" (50)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that field fortifications are used" (54)Supported
"The greater the percentage of professionals in the military organization, the more likely that field fortifications are used" (54)Not Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that cavalry is used" (55)Not Supported
"The greater the percentage of professionals in the military organization, the more likely that cavalry is used" (57)Supported
"The more developed the primary mode of subsistence, the more likely that villages will be fortified" (59)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that villages will be fortified" (59)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that siege operations are used" (62)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more advanced the reasons for going to war" (68)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the higher the degree of military sophistication" (75)Supported
"The higher the degree of military sophistication, the higher the casualty rates" (82)Supported
"The higher the degree of military sophistication, the more likely that the political communities of a cultural unit will engage in frequent or continual internal war" (85)Not Supported
"The higher the degree of military sophistication, the more likely that the political communities of a cultural unit will engage in frequent or continual offensive external war" (88)Supported
"The higher the degree of military sophistication, the less likely that the political communities of a cultural unit will be attacked" (90)Not Supported
"The higher the degree of military sophistication, the more likely that the political communities of a cultural unit will be militarily successful" (94)Supported
"The higher the level of political centralization, the more likely that the political communities of a cultural unit will be militarily successful" (97)Not Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Amelia Piazza