Introduction: Revolution in Military Epistemology

Authors

  • Philippe Beaulieu-B. Centre for International Policy Studies, University of Ottawa and University of St-Andrews, UK
  • Philippe Dufort School of Conflict Studies and the School of Social Innovation at Saint Paul University, Ottawa

Abstract

This special issue offers a platform for 15 leading military practitioners (commanders, planners, developers and instructors on duty or retired) from five countries to share their experiences with design thinking and other reflexive approaches in the classroom, in headquarters and/or on battlefields. These reflexive approaches are gaining momentum and are consolidating as a distinct paradigm in military and strategic practices around the world. The articles included herein present the visions of some of the leading practitioners dictating the terms and promoting this epistemological transition in their national institutions and, in some cases, transnationally. This introduction divides contributors into four task forces based on key issues they engage: efficacy criteria including ethics, education, and organizational politics. The conclusion of this special issue lays the ground for a research program to further learn from and inform reflexive military practices by developing three directions following the logics of translation, narration and power relations.

Author Biographies

Philippe Beaulieu-B., Centre for International Policy Studies, University of Ottawa and University of St-Andrews, UK

Philippe Beaulieu-Brossard is a Research Fellow at the Centre for International Policy Studies, University of Ottawa and a PhD in International Relations from the University of St-Andrews in the United Kingdom. Philippe is currently writing a book developing a new sociology of military knowledge based on the history of design thinking in armed forces. He literally followed the footprints of design thinking from Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the US army, US Special Operations Forces and Canadian Armed Forces. Beyond design thinking, Philippe is turning his thesis into a book with Routledge’s New International Relations Series. This book will cover confirmation biases involved in the use of academic concepts for making sense of the Iranian nuclear crisis between 1998 and 2017. He already published in International Relations about Actor-Network-Theory and Reflexivity (2015) and in the International Studies Journal about smart power/soft war and sustainable diplomacy (2014).

Philippe Dufort, School of Conflict Studies and the School of Social Innovation at Saint Paul University, Ottawa

Philippe Dufort is an assistant professor at the School of Conflict Studies and the School of Social Innovation at Saint Paul University, Ottawa. He studies the epistemological roots of strategic innovation with a special interest in intrinsic reflexive practices of military practitioners. He holds a PhD from the department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) of the University of Cambridge, UK. He is an associate researcher at the Colombian Superior School of War. He acted as an Associate Editor at the Cambridge Review of International Affairs (CRIA) from 2009 to 2013. Apart from his experience in academic research, he has previously worked as a journalist in Latin America, a Human Rights watcher in conflict zones and as a contractual analyst for the Canadian Mission toward the European Union in Brussels. His general research interests include: Military History; Strategic Studies; Critical IR Theories; State Capitalism and Geo-economics; Identity and conflictual politics.

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Published

2017-06-02

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 4 (2017): Special Issue: Reflexive Military Practitioners: Design Thinking and Beyond

Section

Introduction: Revolution in Military Epistemology