How common, historically speaking, has the direct election of military officers by soldiers (or other forms of military democracy) been? Are there any examples of this from ancient history in addition to more commonly known anarchist experiments?
That's true, thanks for the reminder!It's been quite romanticized as of late, but I remember reading that Caribbean pirate crews in the early 18th century tended to have some sort of election for ship officers. But again, this is among essentially bandits; can't recall an organised state where this was common.
How common, historically speaking, has the direct election of military officers by soldiers (or other forms of military democracy) been? Are there any examples of this from ancient history in addition to more commonly known anarchist experiments?
Ah yes, "vote by acclimation": All in favor, say "Aye". Vote passed. No opportunity to vote for an alternative. I've seen that done by a union that I had to join as a condition of employment. The union bosses effectively ran a dictatorship, but it was all "democratically" voted on, just without any option to vote against their choice. Something like 200 local members, with about 75 present for the meeting; the vote went about 20 in favor. Passed. It was sickening to watch.
Wasn't Xenophon voted in to command the group of former mercenaries from Sparta stuck in Persia?
Ah yes, "vote by acclimation": All in favor, say "Aye". Vote passed. No opportunity to vote for an alternative. I've seen that done by a union that I had to join as a condition of employment. The union bosses effectively ran a dictatorship, but it was all "democratically" voted on, just without any option to vote against their choice. Something like 200 local members, with about 75 present for the meeting; the vote went about 20 in favor. Passed. It was sickening to watch.
Wasn't Xenophon voted in to command the group of former mercenaries from Sparta stuck in Persia?
Acclamation is usually done in such a way that if no one objects the vote goes through, if someone does object it turns into a regular vote. (sometimes there's a minimum threshold of objections for turning it into a vote)
Said to be militarily ineffective. But I would like more info on that.So what were the reasons this practice was abandoned in the examples stated? Why is it not common practice nowadays
I am dubious about that.Said to be militarily ineffective. But I would like more info on that.
In a professional military, you want people to gain promotion based on merit and performance, not popularity. It's possible to have a leader who is both popular and effective, but popularity will trump effectiveness which is obviously not optimal.Said to be militarily ineffective. But I would like more info on that.
That is the idea, but plenty of professional militaries, not least today's US Army shows that this idea of 'promoting on merit' does not mean more competent officers necessarily. You simply get structures of patronage, cliques and popularity contests within the military which then leads to people getting promoted based on their ability to play internal politics.In a professional military, you want people to gain promotion based on merit and performance, not popularity. It's possible to have a leader who is both popular and effective, but popularity will trump effectiveness which is obviously not optimal.
In a non-professional military, people gain promotion due to political power, not popularity. This helps insure the nominal loyalty of the military against popular uprising.