In the following bachelor thesis I want to examine the impact of the deployment of drones on the interpretation of maleness, configuration of Gender structures and hierarchy between different masculinities within the US military. I argue that while there has always been technological advance altering how wars are fought, the introduction of drones has brought another quality to this development. It allowed the total removal of the executing soldier from the operating site and thereby erased any imminent danger to the pilot completely. With the ascent of these technological advanced methods to fight wars traditional warfare is as much in the decline as the need for heroic fighter jet pilots is. More and more missions are carried out by remotely controlled drones that are better served by a precise, calculating computer than by venturesome and sometimes reckless soldiers.
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Considering the above, I expect the removal of pilots from the battlefield to have a potential impact that exceeds the directly involved soldiers by far, as they formerly symbolized a hegemonic masculinity within military structures. It is my hope that the elaboration on the expected shifting dynamics between different masculinities helps to better understand and ultimately dismantle the patriarchal system of the military.
As outlined above I would like to conduct research to further clarify and link the decline of traditional warfare with a shift in the intra-gender matrix of different masculinities utilizing Connell's categorization and various theoretical clarifications that have been made on the field of Men Studies leading to the following question:
How does the employment of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) in the military have an impact on (hegemonic) masculinity?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- State of research: A different approach
- 'Men's Studies' and the critique of masculinity
- Connell's theoretical framework
- Axes of Analysis
- Different Masculinities
- Expansions
- Methodical clarifications
- Technological development in the military
- The emergence of drones
- Interpretations of militarized masculinity
- Risk in the face of danger - The aviator
- Responsible and resourceful - The drone pilot
- Comparison
- Conclusions
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor thesis examines the impact of drone deployment on the interpretation of masculinity and the configuration of gender structures within the US military. The thesis argues that while technological advancements have always influenced warfare, drones have introduced a unique element by completely removing the executing soldier from the operational site, thereby eliminating any imminent danger to the pilot. The work investigates how this shift in warfare potentially alters the dynamics between different masculinities within the military, focusing on the decline of traditional warfare and the rise of a new, more calculated and technologically driven approach.
- The influence of drone technology on traditional notions of masculinity in the military
- The shifting dynamics between different masculinities within the US military in the context of drone deployment
- The role of hegemonic masculinity in traditional warfare and its potential decline with the rise of drone warfare
- The impact of drone technology on the understanding of risk, courage, and heroism within the military
- The potential for a more inclusive and less patriarchal military structure in the age of drone warfare
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by exploring the connection between traditional warfare and the idealized image of a hegemonic masculinity. It draws upon Gender Studies and Raewyn Connell's theory of different masculinities to provide a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between gender and military service. The introduction then outlines the thesis's focus on examining the impact of drone deployment on masculinity and gender structures within the US military.
- State of research: A different approach: This chapter critiques Michael Salter's research on drones in police forces, arguing that his psychological approach neglects the sociological complexities of gender structures. The chapter advocates for the use of Connell's theoretical framework to better understand potential shifts in the intra-gender matrix within the military.
- 'Men's Studies' and the critique of masculinity: This chapter delves into Connell's theoretical framework, outlining the concept of hegemonic masculinity and its relationship to other masculinities, such as complicit, marginalized, and subordinated masculinities. It also discusses various axes of analysis and methodological clarifications within the field of Men's Studies, providing a comprehensive theoretical foundation for the thesis's research.
- Technological development in the military: This chapter focuses on the emergence of drones as a key technological development in modern warfare. It highlights the significance of drones in transforming the nature of warfare, particularly in terms of removing the executing soldier from the battlefield and shifting the emphasis toward a more precise and calculated approach to combat.
- Interpretations of militarized masculinity: This chapter explores the implications of drone technology on the interpretation of masculinity within the military. It compares the traditional image of the heroic fighter jet pilot, who embodies risk and danger, with the more calculated and technologically adept drone pilot. This comparison aims to shed light on the potential shifting dynamics between different masculinities within the military landscape.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The central keywords and focus topics of this work revolve around the impact of drone technology on masculinity, the decline of traditional warfare, the shift in the intra-gender matrix of different masculinities, and the analysis of these dynamics within the US military. The thesis utilizes Connell's theoretical framework of hegemonic masculinity and its relationship to other masculinities to explore the evolving roles and identities of men in a militarized context. Important concepts include risk, courage, heroism, technological advancement, and the potential for a more inclusive and less patriarchal military structure.
- Quote paper
- Bachelor of Arts Niklas Kuck (Author), 2015, Masculinities and the Decline of Traditional Warfare, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374872
