Standing army

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A standing army is an army composed of full time professional soldiers. They differ from army reserves who are activated only during such times as war or natural disasters.

Standing armies tend to be much more expensive to maintain and therefore are usually of limited size. However, a standing army tends to be better equipped, better trained, and better prepared for emergencies, particularly wars.

The army of ancient Rome is considered to have been a standing army during some of Roman history, but especially the empire.

The first 'modern' standing army in Europe were the Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire, formed in the fourteenth century AD. In western Europe the first standing army was established by Charles VII of France in the fifteenth century. The establishment of standing armies in seventeenth century Britain and later in the United States was controversial, some fearing that it would give too much power to the head of state, erode the civilian control of the military, eventually leading to tyranny.

Philosopher Adam Smith in book V, chapter 1, part 1 of his influential work The Wealth of Nations (published 1776), comments that standing armies are a sign of modernising society as modern warfare requires increased skill and disclipine of regularly trained standing armies. It is so that since the eighteenth century standing armies have been a integral part of the defence of the majority of more economically developed countries.