ABSTRACT
In all societies there are rules governing conduct both between social groups and between individuals who comprise those groups. These rules may or may not be codified; they are formally or informally formulated so as to ensure some measure of uniformity, regularity and predictability of conduct between members. Social control, then, denotes the processes which ensure that individuals conform to the norms of the group. Interests vary, so various control mechanisms operate to resolve conflicts of interest and, where possible, to promote an acceptable degree of social harmony. Max Weber has indicated that no system voluntarily limits itself to material, affectional or even ideal motives as a basis for guaranteeing its continuance. John Keegan in the Reith Lectures for the BBC argues that Europe has undergone a process of militarization during the last 100 years and, even more contentiously, that not only has this shaped society and its values, but that the military mindset is actually a relatively recent development.
