This paper analyzes the historical and contemporaneous relationship of anthropological science with military tactics and strategies. It focuses on the Anglo-American perspective of the topic as its main object of study is the U.S. military Human Terrain System, a program which integrates anthropologists into military units to improve their interaction with the local population and thereby help to stabilize the security situation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- A Historical Overview
- The Human Terrain System and the Counterinsurgency Field Manual
- Concerns about the Employment of Anthropological Knowledge for Military Purposes
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the historical relationship between anthropological science and military strategies, focusing on the U.S. military Human Terrain System. It examines the integration of anthropologists into military units to improve interaction with local populations and stabilize security situations. The paper explores concerns regarding the use of anthropological expertise for military purposes, presenting different viewpoints.
- Historical use of anthropology in military operations
- The role of anthropology in colonial contexts and global conflicts
- The U.S. military Human Terrain System and its implications
- Ethical considerations surrounding the application of anthropological knowledge in warfare
- Shifting military strategies in asymmetrical conflicts
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the paper's focus on the relationship between anthropology and military strategy, particularly the U.S. Human Terrain System. It outlines the paper's structure and approach.
A Historical Overview: This chapter traces the history of using anthropological knowledge for military purposes, from its role in colonialism to its use in World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War. It highlights the use of anthropologists by the British Empire and the U.S. OSS, and discusses the changing strategies employed in asymmetrical conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, and the shift away from large-scale combat strategies.
The Human Terrain System and the Counterinsurgency Field Manual: This chapter (based on the provided text) will likely detail the development and implementation of the U.S. military's Human Terrain System and its connection to the Counterinsurgency Field Manual. It will analyze how this system integrates anthropological knowledge into military operations.
Concerns about the Employment of Anthropological Knowledge for Military Purposes: This chapter will explore the ethical and practical concerns surrounding the use of anthropological expertise in military contexts, presenting various perspectives and arguments on the subject.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Anthropology, military strategy, Human Terrain System, asymmetrical warfare, counterinsurgency, colonialism, ethical considerations, socio-cultural factors, military operations.
- Quote paper
- MSc Thomas Hoehl (Author), 2009, The Use of Anthropological Expertise for Military Purposes - with a Focus on the U.S. Military Human Terrain System, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/181578
