THE MILITARY SYSTEM OF BENIN KINGDOM, c.1440 - 1897

in its military system. Such a political and military arrangement was pre-eminently to theinterests of the monarchy because, despite severe power rivalries which led to instability andcivil wars, Benin survived and kept its power with the region.In most precolonial African states, military systems evolved to create the structuresnecessary for the enhancement of state power. The aim was the pursuit and defence of theinterest of the leadership group which had appropriated power. For the modern nation states,military systems have evolved in defence of national interest, land frontiers, and maintenanceof internal security of the state. The pursuit and defence of interests are of particular relevancefor understanding organisational politics. Gareth Morgan argues convincingly that “we live inour interests, often see others as encroaching on them, and readily engage in defences orattacks designed to sustain our position”. 69 This is reflected in conflicts and power plays, andeventually military competitiveness. The level of sophistication of a particular military systemmay at times, not in all cases, be a reflection of the stage of advancement of the society whichowns it. Most scholars may argue that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) had anadvanced military system and technology but the society was not well developed. There havebeen many variations in military institutions and philosophy of organisation, and systemswhich did not have the capacity to borrow and adapt ideas from elsewhere could hardlysurvive. 70 This is because weapons are constantly been improved upon, and scientificadvances in military technology gives strategic advantages to societies which possess newweapons capable of inflicting high casualties and damages.The culture and character of societies and the links with organisational life differsfrom one region to another. Since military systems have evolved for different types ofsocieties and warfare, this makes it difficult to generalise on formal authority and preparationfor war. This study has been confronted with this issue in elucidating the magnitude of theresearch problem and questions concerning war and society in Benin.The Research ProblemStudies which have investigated the growth and development of military enterprise andempire have focused on specific periods or themes or aspects of the history of warfare. Thequest for the understanding of military systems is the historical inquiry into military69 Gareth Morgan, 1997, Images of Organization. Thousand Oaks, California and London: Sage Publications,Inc., p. 161.70 See for example, M. S. Anderson, 1988, War and Society in Europe of the Old Regime 1618-1789. London;A. Corvisier,1979, Armies and Societies in Europe, 1494-1789. Bloomington, Indiana; A. Jones, 1987, The Artof War in the Western World. Oxford, and C. Duffy, 1987, The Military Experience in the Age of Reason.London.22