Consideration of an adequate theoretical-epistemological approach in hybrid warfare phenomenon research

Abstract

The characteristics of warfare, as a complex social phenomenon, are determined by the impact of different factors. However, they are conditioned to a great extent by the applied concepts of warfare of conflicting sides. They represent the idea of how to lead warfare and they can include various methods, tactics, activities, means, forces, etc. The implementation of conceptual ideas in practice results in a concrete way of waging warfare, which definitely determines the characteristics of each individual conflict. Thus, war practice suggests that contemporary conflicts, especially the ones after the Cold War, are significantly different from the previous ones, where the massive use of military power dominated. This suggests that the characteristics of contemporary conflicts are significantly determined by the characteristics of new concepts of warfare on which they are based. Thus, scientific consideration and explanation of new concepts and contemporary forms of warfare is inseparable. An essential characteristic of 'hybrid warfare' and similar concepts such as asymmetric or irregular, is contained in the fact that the role of armed struggle is minimized in relation to other non-military contents of warfare. This establishes a new criterion for scientific classification of warfare into contemporary and classical one. However, the minimized role of armed struggle within new concepts problematizes the essence of warfare and implementation of the current classical theory of warfare in consideration and determination of contemporary conflicts. The occurrence of theoretical problems necessarily raises the issue of the adequate choice of theoretical-epistemological approach in research of the phenomenon of 'hybrid warfare' and modern warfare. By analyzing ontological and epistemological views of various approaches in this paper, it is concluded that the interpretative approach is the most adequate in this respect.

Keywords

• hybrid warfare
• modern warfare
• armed struggle
• theory of warfare
• theoretical-epistemological approach