BLUF
Military history's decline as an academic discipline is attributed to disinterest and biases among educated elites, resulting in reduced courses and education for military elites. A broader definition of military history focusing on social, economic, and cultural aspects has contributed to its decline. However, there is a growing public interest in war, highlighting the need for informed civilian oversight in democratic societies.Summary
KEY POINTS:
- Military history provides essential war insights, but its study is declining.
- The decrease is attributed to shifting interests among educated civilian elites.
- There's a parallel decline among military elites, undermining operational focus.
- Modern military history emphasizes socio-economic aspects over tactical strategy.
- This decline can hamper informed democratic oversight of warfare, demanding historical awareness.
References
- MILITARY HISTORY INDEX PAGES AND COLLECTIONS ON THE RAAF RUNWAY
- WHY STUDY MILITARY HISTORY: COLLECTION | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
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