Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfare

Objectives This paper attempts to forecast the future of warfare methods in the forthcoming decades of the 21st century. The predictions reflect on the current trends observed in the development of military and civil (dual-use) technologies and changes in thought constructs developed for hostilitie...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Marcin Górnikiewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wydawnictwo Akademii Sztuki Wojennej 2019-12-01
Series:Security and Defence Quarterly
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.journalssystem.com/sdq/War-at-the-Turn-of-the-21st-Century-Forecasted-Developments-in-the-Methods-of-Warfare,112930,0,2.html
_version_ 1818926744406589440
author Marcin Górnikiewicz
author_facet Marcin Górnikiewicz
author_sort Marcin Górnikiewicz
collection DOAJ
description Objectives This paper attempts to forecast the future of warfare methods in the forthcoming decades of the 21st century. The predictions reflect on the current trends observed in the development of military and civil (dual-use) technologies and changes in thought constructs developed for hostilities. Methods Empirical and theoretical research methods were utilised in the study. The research data, obtained from the review of source materials, were subsequently subjected to examination through analysis, synthesis and comparison. Results The methods of warfare at the turn of the 21st century are likely to reflect the technological evolution of the modern age. Considering the present-day trends, there is a good probability that our technology-driven lives will transform people into hybrids of biological organisms merged with the technological environment, integrated with the body. Therefore, hostile action against human soldiers could be taken on three major levels: the biological organism, the mass communication technology integrated into the body, and the mental level – both in the conscious and the subconscious sphere. The study into how the soldier’s mental sphere can be influenced to anticipate and shape behaviours may contribute to further research on the third level impact on enemy soldiers. Conclusions The conclusions formulated in this analysis may carry significant implications for the works on an innovative methodology of the future warfare, accounting for the technological progress in the next decades of the 21st century, and a methodology for countering future military threats.
first_indexed 2024-12-20T03:01:59Z
format Article
id doaj.art-5a2d04ab16fb4c03ad2c19e3a7f2d2f2
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2300-8741
2544-994X
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-20T03:01:59Z
publishDate 2019-12-01
publisher Wydawnictwo Akademii Sztuki Wojennej
record_format Article
series Security and Defence Quarterly
spelling doaj.art-5a2d04ab16fb4c03ad2c19e3a7f2d2f22022-12-21T19:55:43ZengWydawnictwo Akademii Sztuki WojennejSecurity and Defence Quarterly2300-87412544-994X2019-12-01275213110.35467/sdq/112930112930Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfareMarcin Górnikiewicz0Faculty of Logistics, Military University of Technology, PolandObjectives This paper attempts to forecast the future of warfare methods in the forthcoming decades of the 21st century. The predictions reflect on the current trends observed in the development of military and civil (dual-use) technologies and changes in thought constructs developed for hostilities. Methods Empirical and theoretical research methods were utilised in the study. The research data, obtained from the review of source materials, were subsequently subjected to examination through analysis, synthesis and comparison. Results The methods of warfare at the turn of the 21st century are likely to reflect the technological evolution of the modern age. Considering the present-day trends, there is a good probability that our technology-driven lives will transform people into hybrids of biological organisms merged with the technological environment, integrated with the body. Therefore, hostile action against human soldiers could be taken on three major levels: the biological organism, the mass communication technology integrated into the body, and the mental level – both in the conscious and the subconscious sphere. The study into how the soldier’s mental sphere can be influenced to anticipate and shape behaviours may contribute to further research on the third level impact on enemy soldiers. Conclusions The conclusions formulated in this analysis may carry significant implications for the works on an innovative methodology of the future warfare, accounting for the technological progress in the next decades of the 21st century, and a methodology for countering future military threats.http://www.journalssystem.com/sdq/War-at-the-Turn-of-the-21st-Century-Forecasted-Developments-in-the-Methods-of-Warfare,112930,0,2.htmlforecastingfuture warfaremilitary technologiesdual-use technologieshostilities
spellingShingle Marcin Górnikiewicz
Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfare
Security and Defence Quarterly
forecasting
future warfare
military technologies
dual-use technologies
hostilities
title Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfare
title_full Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfare
title_fullStr Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfare
title_full_unstemmed Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfare
title_short Wars in the later 21st century: Forecast developments in the methods of warfare
title_sort wars in the later 21st century forecast developments in the methods of warfare
topic forecasting
future warfare
military technologies
dual-use technologies
hostilities
url http://www.journalssystem.com/sdq/War-at-the-Turn-of-the-21st-Century-Forecasted-Developments-in-the-Methods-of-Warfare,112930,0,2.html
work_keys_str_mv AT marcingornikiewicz warsinthelater21stcenturyforecastdevelopmentsinthemethodsofwarfare