The centenary of the British publication of Jean de Bloch's "Is War now Possible?" (1899-1999)

This article is a celebration of Jean de Bloch's contribution to military t hought. Bloch is generally well known among military historians, if not the general public. For some historians he was the unheeded economist hero who correctly predicted the nature of the Great War. For others he is a somewh at overrated figure who actually failed to grasp the true complexities of ' modern warfare.' Depending on their point of view, the British army is ther efore seen by some as being foolish to have ignored Bloch's work prior to 1 914, or to have actually grasped the essentials of a future conflict withou t the necessity of his aid. This article will discuss the debate between Bl och and the professional officers of the British army and the insights hist orians and military theorists have contributed this century, and will offer a new perspective on the issue. Broadly, it will argue the importance of t he engagement between Bloch and the British army is not simply a matter of reputations. The debate is of continuing importance because it illustrates one of the key problems of our time; how social scientific theories and fin dings, articulated by a professional community, are established as a body o f knowledge; and how non-members, laymen, actually fare when challenging or criticizing this professional knowledge.