In this chapter, I would like to shed new light on the social consequences of military involvement from an insufficiently explored perspective — namely, the impact of waging war on the transformation of possessiveness in social relationships. Conceptualizing the influence of wars as a bridge between a theory of state formation and a theory of property relationships, I start my discussion by redefining the notion of property sociologically as a nexus of social relationships rather than a thing “out-there.” I argue that the waging of wars often decisively influenced the style of capitalism in a society. After presenting my theoretical argument on property as the embodiment of social relationships, I examine a case from Japanese history in which the historical experiences of preparing for and engaging in three wars have changed “property relationships.” This historical process of changing property relationships, I believe, shaped a distinctive style of capitalism in Japan.

Wars are projects that require the most forceful mobilization of human capacities and material resources. The preparation for and prosecution of war frequently restrict or override individuals' control over their possessive resources. War redistributes goods and services and reorganizes the flow of material resources for military purposes in ways that affect existing property relationships. The outcome of a war — victory, defeat, or stalemate — may also bring about the reorganization of property relationships and may redefine new categories of property rights.