The Clausewitzian Dictum and the Future of Western Military Strategy

1997-09-09
 |  Political Science
The Clausewitzian Dictum and the Future of Western Military Strategy

Author: Gert C. de Nooy

Publisher: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers

ISBN: 9041104550

Category: Political Science

Page: 196

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This book aims at defining a rationale for the continued use of military armed force(s) by states. Central to this publication are the answers to fundamental questions pertaining to the convention of war, as formulated by Martin van Creveld: 'to define just who is allowed to kill whom, for what ends, under what circumstances, and by what means'. Above all, the authors take into account developments and trends within the elements of the Clausewitzian trinity supporting the Westphalian nation-state: 'The People (or the Society)', 'The Government' and 'The Armed Forces (or The Military)'. The change in the Atlantic-European security environment, and the effects that this will have on the form and content of national and multilateral security strategies and doctrines, form the background to this publication. Moreover, the possible impact of societal changes on West European states, as a consequence of European integration, are analysed and discussed. Finally, the consequences of 'out-of-area' and police-type functions for armed forces in addition to the classical defence role are related to the size and composition of future forces. First, in Chapters Two (Martin van Creveld) and Three (Jan Geert Siccama), the Clausewitzian dictum, trinitarian theory, and the - absence of - alternative theories of warfare are discussed. Next, Chapters Four (Zeev Maoz) and Five (Jan van der Meulen) deal with societal changes and trends within Western Society at large which affect the future use of armed forces. Chapters Six (Koen Koch) and Seven (Jaap de Wilde) concentrate on the future relevance of the nation-state and the governing bodies in relation to the ongoing process of European political integration and multilateralization of diplomatic interaction. Chapters Eight (Jan Willem Honig), Nine (Kees Homan), and Ten (Robert Bunker) address how present-day changes and trends affect the armed forces. Respectively, the authors address issues relating to military strategy, personnel, and technology. Finally, Chapter Eleven (Gert de Nooy and Rienk Terpstra) provides an overview of topical highlights and tentative conclusions emanating from both the chapters and the discussions held during the workshop held in conjunction with this book. This book will be of interest to European policy-makers, defence planners, officers-under-training in military and defence academies, and students of international relations, political science and security.

Combatants in African Conflicts

2022-04-29
 |  Political Science
Combatants in African Conflicts

Author: Simon David Taylor

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 9781351065443

Category: Political Science

Page: 248

View: 336

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This book focuses on the different types of combatants in conflicts in Africa, exploring the fine lines between what might be classified as a militia in one conflict, a rebel in another, or a terrorist in a third. Drawing on the work of Carl von Clausewitz, this book provides a conceptually stable and analytically sound new typology on combatants. Analysing the relationships between state and society, and drawing on Clausewitz's Trinity of passion, chance, and reason, the book presents a set of five types of armed actors: Professionals, Praetorians, Militias, Insurgents, and Mercenaries. Each type is developed through a close reading of foundational theoretical texts, reviews of contemporary studies, and a historical analysis of their unique characteristics. Unlike a reductionist binary perspective, this typology accounts for the dynamic, complex, and evolving relationships of these actors with the state and society. A typology of combatants in conflicts in Africa can provide avenues for more in-depth analysis of such conflicts and holds implications for Security Sector Reform projects and other peace-building programmes. As such, this book will be an essential reference for scholars and students of African Politics and Military and Security Studies.

War, Clausewitz and the Trinity

2016-02-17
 |  Technology & Engineering
War, Clausewitz and the Trinity

Author: Thomas Waldman

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 9781317000457

Category: Technology & Engineering

Page: 216

View: 145

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Today, the ideas of Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) are employed almost ubiquitously in strategic studies, military history and defence literatures, but often in a manner which distorts their true meaning. In this book, Waldman explores Clausewitz’s central theoretical device for understanding war - the ’remarkable trinity’ of politics, chance and passion. By situating the great Prussian in historical context, he presents a conception truer to Clausewitz’s intention. Seeking to achieve this through an in-depth reinterpretation of On War and Clausewitz’s other writings, conducted through the prism of the trinity, this book draws on existing studies but argues that there is room for clarification. It presents fresh perspectives into aspects of Clausewitz's thought and emphasises elements of his theory that have often been neglected. Furthermore, it provides a solid basis from which debate on the nature of modern war can move forward.

Clausewitz and Contemporary War

2007-09-27
 |  History
Clausewitz and Contemporary War

Author: Antulio J. Echevarria II

Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand

ISBN: 9780199231911

Category: History

Page: 223

View: 116

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An engaging new interpretation of Clausewitz's classic On War and its relevance to contemporary world conflicts.

Combating Terrorism in Northern Ireland

2008-10-13
 |  History
Combating Terrorism in Northern Ireland

Author: James Dingley

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 9781134210466

Category: History

Page: 321

View: 745

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This edited book analyses the lessons which can be drawn from Northern Ireland’s experiences of combating terrorism. The essays in this volume unite analysis and practice in exploring both the conflict in Northern Ireland and the internationally applicable counter-terrorism lessons which can be drawn from the response to it. The contributors, all specialists in their fields, make a theoretical analysis of the underlying causes of terrorism, and explore how this interacts with the development of effective operations and policy responses. The book emphasises the socio-economic and socio-cultural dimensions underlying the problem of terrorism, arguing that short-term, violent/military responses can in fact exacerbate the problem. It highlights the complexity of terrorism as a social phenomenon, and outlines the multi-faceted approach needed to combat it.

The Past as Prologue

2006-05-08
 |  History
The Past as Prologue

Author: Williamson Murray

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

ISBN: 9781139452588

Category: History

Page:

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In today's military of rapid technological and strategic change, obtaining a complete understanding of the present, let alone the past, is a formidable challenge. Yet the very high rate of change today makes study of the past more important than ever before. The Past as Prologue, first published in 2006, explores the usefulness of the study of history for contemporary military strategists. It illustrates the great importance of military history while simultaneously revealing the challenges of applying the past to the present. Essays from authors of diverse backgrounds - British and American, civilian and military - come together to present an overwhelming argument for the necessity of the study of the past by today's military leaders in spite of these challenges. The essays of Part I examine the relationship between history and the military profession. Those in Part II explore specific historical cases that show the repetitiveness of certain military problems.

On Clausewitz

2004-12-10
 |  Political Science
On Clausewitz

Author: H. Smith

Publisher: Springer

ISBN: 9780230513679

Category: Political Science

Page: 303

View: 807

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Clausewitz is often quoted but more often misunderstood. On Clausewitz presents his central ideas about war and politics - such as war as an instrument of policy, the concept of Absolute War, friction and the fog of war - in a clear and systematic fashion. It also presents the man, his life and the military and intellectual environment in which he produced his great work On War . A final section considers Clausewitz's relevance to the rapidly changing nature of war today.

Democracy and Military Force

2002-02-27
 |  Political Science
Democracy and Military Force

Author: P. Everts

Publisher: Springer

ISBN: 9780230509863

Category: Political Science

Page: 256

View: 368

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The relationship between democracy and foreign policy has always been controversial. Whether good or bad, the influence of public opinion - a central factor in all democracies - on political decisionmaking in matters of war and peace is more important than ever. How has the end of the Cold War affected popular attitudes in Western Europe and the USA? Is the public no longer willing to tolerate military casualties, or is that a myth that serves as a welcome alibi for hesitant politicians?

Global Insurgency and the Future of Armed Conflict

2010-04-05
 |  History
Global Insurgency and the Future of Armed Conflict

Author: Aaron Karp

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 9781134124145

Category: History

Page: 320

View: 419

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This volume covers a timely debate in contemporary security studies: can armed forces adjust to the rising challenge of insurgency and terrorism, the greatest transformation in warfare since the birth of the international system? Containing essays by leading international security scholars and military professionals, it explores the Fourth-Generation Warfare thesis and its implications for security planning in the twenty-first century. No longer confined to the fringes of armed conflict, guerrilla warfare and terrorism increasingly dominate world-wide military planning. For the first time since the Vietnam War ended, the problems of insurgency have leapt to the top of the international security agenda and virtually all countries are struggling to protect themselves against terrorist threats. Coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq are bogged down by an insurgency, and are being forced to rely on old warfare tactics rather than modern technologies to destroy their adversaries. These theorists argue that irregular warfare—insurgencies and terrorism—has evolved over time and become progressively more sophisticated and difficult to defeat as it is not centred on high technology and state of the art weaponry. Global Insurgency and the Future of Armed Conflict will be of interest to students of international security, strategic studies and terrorism studies.

Strategy and History

2007-01-24
 |  History
Strategy and History

Author: Colin S. Gray

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN: 9781134169658

Category: History

Page: 249

View: 948

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Strategy and History comprises a selection of Professor Gray's key contributions to strategic debate over the past thirty years. These essays have been selected both because they had significant messages for contemporary controversies, and because they have some continuing relevance for today and the future. Each essay in this book is really about strategy in the modern world, and reflects the many dimensions of this complex subject. This book covers a wide range of subjects and historical events, but there are key issues covered throughout: being strategic the consequences of actions a respect for Clausewitz’s theory of war historical dependency the importance of geography being critical of enthusiasm for technology over human factors the primacy of politics. This important publication provides an invaluable insight into the development of strategic studies over the past 30 years from one of the world's leading theorists and practitioners of the subject. The book will be of great interest to all students and analysts of strategy and international studies.

US Intervention Policy and Army Innovation

2006
 |  History
US Intervention Policy and Army Innovation

Author: Richard Lock-Pullan

Publisher: Psychology Press

ISBN: 0714657190

Category: History

Page: 314

View: 891

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This book examines how the US Army rebuilt itself after the Vietnam War and how this has effected US intervention policy after the Cold War.