№1-2020-09
Kostrov A. V., Lakhtyuk S. A.
GENESIS OF SWISS MILITARISM DURING THE REFORMATION
This article attempts to consider the origin of militarism as a sociocultural phenomenon. It is noted that modern humanities, especially in the domestic segment, use the concept of “militarism” exclusively in political science studies and do not consider it as a factor in the historical development of a particular society. As an example, Switzerland was chosen XV-XVII centuries and the sources of the formation of militarism in its sociocultural environment.
Using the concept of geographical determinism, it is concluded that the genesis of Swiss militarism largely depends on the climatic conditions. The mountainous terrain predetermined the isolation of the population and, as a result, the preservation of many traditional forms of social life and consciousness in which militarism was originally present. The article also indicates the factor of the absence of knights in Switzerland and many wars of independence, which led to the wide spread of military culture among the masses. Particular attention is paid to the Swiss mercenaries and its distinctive features, which contribute to strengthening the process of militarization of the Swiss society.
In conclusion, the author notes that militarism as a sociocultural phenomenon on the example of Switzerland plays a huge role in the process of constructing and transforming public self-consciousness and, as a result, in the process of building the Swiss nation as a whole.
Keywords: militarism, militarization, Switzerland, early modern times, Swiss mercenaries, German mercenaries, Swiss militarism, Swiss militia, army.
Irkutsk State University (Russia)
