07/05/24 – The diffusion of military power in the 21st century – prof. Olivier Schmitt (the Center for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark)

Center for French Culture and Francophone Studies at the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw invite you to the “Geopolitical Tuesday” seminar entitled:

 

The diffusion of military power in the 21st century / with the participation of prof. Olivier Schmitt from the Center for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark

 

which will be held on Tuesday 7th of May 2024 at 3 pm (CET)

 

Inscription : seminarium.okf@uw.edu.pl

The seminar will be held in English.

 

 

Abstract:

Military capabilities often diffuse across the international system, leading to changes in regional and international balances of power. Thus, understanding the patterns of military diffusion is crucial for comprehending power dynamics, evaluating the risks of war, and assessing the likelihood of military victories. However, the existing conceptual vocabulary used by academics and policymakers to study military diffusion is characterized by confusion and ambiguity, which hinders the accumulation of systematic knowledge in this field. Historians, political scientists, and military sociologists all conduct research on military diffusion, but they often use different terms to describe the same phenomenon or ascribe different meanings to the same term, resulting in a lack of interdisciplinary dialogue and cumulative knowledge.
This presentation aims to address this conceptual confusion and provide a definition of military diffusion while analyzing its facilitating factors.
By providing a comprehensive definition of military diffusion and analyzing its facilitating factors, this article introduces a heuristic framework that can be applied to empirical cases, while also providing the basis for a common interdisciplinary language and offering opportunities for further theorization.

 

Bio:

Olivier Schmitt is a Professor at the Center for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark. His research deals with contemporary strategic issues, as well as geo-economics and economic security. He is the author of Allies that Count. Junior Partners in Coalition Warfare, and an associate editor of the European Journal of International Security.