The Russian Imperial Army 1796917

Book excerpt: The majority of the articles assembled in this volume reflect social-historical methodology, which is used to show the relationship between the tsarist army and society while focusing on the Russian historical experience. In each case, whether it be a study of the soldiers as peasants, alcoholism, the nationalities, officers, military justice, social and legal reform and mutiny or revolution, the inescapable conclusion arises that the army was at all times a reflection of the many social problems, aspirations, or political thought of the broader imperial Russian civil society. In short, this anthology treats the Russian military as a window on the symbiotic triangular relationship between army, state and society.