‘THE BAROQUE ARSENAL’:

WEAPONRY AND WAR FROM FLORESTAN FERNANDES' PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This article investigates how technological evolution impacts the social functions and hierarchical structures of armed forces, taking Florestan Fernandes' analysis of warfare in Tupinambá society as its starting point. Fernandes demonstrates that war, beyond its military dimension, plays a structuring role in social and political organization by fostering cohesion and reaffirming collective identities. Building on this perspective, the article engages with Mary Kaldor, who examines modern weaponry as a system that transcends its technical function, influencing power relations and redefining the very concept of war. Additionally, Piero Leirner’s analysis of hybrid warfare highlights the challenges posed by new military technologies to traditional hierarchical structures. Methodologically, this study adopts a comparative approach to demonstrate that, despite contextual differences, weaponry not only reflects social and political transformations but also shapes power organization within military institutions. The article concludes that the advancement of military technology generates new dynamics of control and command, challenging rigid hierarchies and requiring adaptations in the organizational models of armed forces.