(06-25-2015, 05:15 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote: I don't really think Paramilitary is a good word to use in premodern times. I don't think they're counted as paramilitary if they're organized outside the state. If a mercenary army has its own commanders, funds, and independent goals outside of any one specific state, it's not really a paramilitary force. On the wikipedia page for example you see lots of examples, but mercenaries are not one.
The Landsknechts a paramilitary force? The Swiss Pikemen? German Hussars? Though I admit this is a bit out of scope of this topic.
Yes, people are using a lot of anachronistic terms in this thread. Historically there were no such distinctions. The world of Eorzea does not have the very formal administrative structure that modern nation-states have.
- The Sultansworn are royal guard/knightly order with fealty to the Ul'dahn monarch.
- The Immortal Flames are a standing army with a formal structure answerable to the Flame General.
- The Brass Blades are a mercenary order paid by Ul'dahn interests to keep the peace.
That is it, really! There is no 'military', 'paramilitary', or 'law enforcement' in the contemporary sense.
