Armies mirror their societies’ class divisions through rank distinctions.

Evidence

Second, all modern armies are a microcosm of their larger societies in a crucial sense: by erecting and maintaining clear distinctions (in dress, pay, rights and duties) between soldiers and officers and in sharpening distinctions within each group by an elaborate hierarchical structure, armies reflect the class divisions within society at large. This sharp stratification was even more apparent in the case of Mehmed Ali’s army than with most other contemporary armies since the officer corps was ethnically and linguistically different from the overwhelming majority of the soldiery. — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 118

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 118
• XREF: connects to: Social formations form complex unities structured in dominance rather than expressive identities.; Capitalism triumphed by cultivating divisions rather than erasing them within the working class — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 267; Hegemony explains class rule as cultural and political sway, not just economic interest

Broader Connections

• Hegemony explains class rule as cultural and political sway, not just economic interest #expands (0.55)
• Capitalism triumphed by cultivating divisions rather than erasing them within the working class #exemplifies (0.50) — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 267
• Social formations form complex unities structured in dominance rather than expressive identities. #complicates (0.45)