A Test of a Theory of Co-evolution in War: Lengthening the Western Eurasian Military Trajectory
William R. Thompson
of the discussion changes in historical interactions among military organizations, weaponry, and state focuses on intermittent revolutions that introduce technological organizational innovations with far-reaching repercussions contested proportions. Related questions include number have occurred, how revolutionary to be qualify as 'revolutionary', degree nature differences they made. Writing this journal ten years ago, John A. Lynn suggested an alternative approach allows analysts sidestep definitional about revolutions.1 Instead, he presents a sequence paradigmatic armies associated organization accompany each shift. describes iteration 'military style', movement from one style next evolutionary. Beginning eighth century, evolution contemporary Western seven-iteration model, accompanying observations impact change not only but also states, warfare, political economy. The seven iterations are feudal (8th-ioth centuries), medieval-stipendiary (12th13th aggregate-contract (late I5th-early 16th statecommission i6th-early 17th popular-conscript (1789-1810), mass-reserve (1866-1905), volunteer-technical (1970-95). Four facets Lynn's model deserve elaboration modification. As historian, ignores question generalized motors propel his evolutionary iterations. In treating 'evolution' synonym for 'change', passes up opportunity develop explicit comprehensive accounts iteration. Second, treats army hub iteration; other either converge or diverge
International History Review