Why have no militaries worldwide adopted a one-ladder system? There are hundreds of militaries, and at least some of them have the ability and desire to break away from old European models. Most importantly, military systems are tested in the Darwininian struggles. If a one-ladder system is better, someone could have adopted it as a way of beating the enemy.
The “Darwinian struggle” argument is fallacious, as the status quo is not necessarily the best way of doing things, especially in a conservative, class-based society like the military. History is full of examples of how the generals (ultimate expression of.the officer class) got it wrong.
OK, so someone should try organizing differently and whup the old-time two-ladder armies. The most likely candidate for this would be a ragtag militia trying to form itself into a national army while under pressure to beat enemies.
Why have no militaries worldwide adopted a one-ladder system? There are hundreds of militaries, and at least some of them have the ability and desire to break away from old European models. Most importantly, military systems are tested in the Darwininian struggles. If a one-ladder system is better, someone could have adopted it as a way of beating the enemy.
The “Darwinian struggle” argument is fallacious, as the status quo is not necessarily the best way of doing things, especially in a conservative, class-based society like the military. History is full of examples of how the generals (ultimate expression of.the officer class) got it wrong.
OK, so someone should try organizing differently and whup the old-time two-ladder armies. The most likely candidate for this would be a ragtag militia trying to form itself into a national army while under pressure to beat enemies.