1.3.1. (Overview and Context) Clausewitz, Carl von. On War. Eds. and trans. Michael Howard and Peter Paret. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1976, see readings.
Book 1, Chapter 1: "What is War?" 75-89.
Book 1, Chapter 2: "Purpose and Means in War," 90-99.
Book 2, Chapter 2: "On the Theory of War," 141.
The extremes of war p. 77
Where is always the collision of two competing forces whose aim is to overcome the other. Page 77. Second extreme = fear of the enemy not destroyed.
Power of resistance is composed of the total means at his disposal x the strength of his room.. Page 77. Third extreme = competition.
War is an active force, and there’s no logical limit to the application of that for us. Page 77. First extreme = force met with force.
Absolutes of war . P. 78-80.
War is an isolated act
War is a single, decisive act or set of simultaneous ones
The decision for war was complete and perfect in itself
The absolute forces counteract the extremes of war and reduce them, return the theory to the unique factors of real life and the political objectives to be obtained p. 80.
“Where is can have all degrees of importance and intensity, ranging from the war of extermination down to simple, armed observation.” This is due to the fact that the political object is expected to drive the military object. P. 81
Polarity p. 83.
When the objective is a victory, polarity applies because one outcome cancels the other out
When discussing two different things that have become elation, external to themselves, the polarity lies, not in the things, but in the relationship.
Polarity does not apply to attack and defense because they are very different and unequal in strength. However, they do seek a positive and negative balance, and the decision to be resulted from the action.
Reasons to pause military action:
- I desire to wait for a better moment before acting. P. 82
- Imperfect knowledge of the situation from unreliable intelligence. P. 84
Chance and human element are always a part of war, cannot he ignored in the theory of war p. 85
War is merely the continuation of policy by other means p. 87
Objectives of policy are linked to the strength of the means committed to achieving the objective p. 88
Must first ask, what is the kind of war you are embarking on (ie, what are your objectives?)
War is an instrument of policy
The paradoxical trinity p. 89
- Primordial, violence, hatred, and enmity, which equal to people.
- The play of chance, in probability within which the creator spiritus free to roam, which equals the military.
- And the element of subordination, as an instrument of policy, which makes it subject to reason. This equals the government.
Discussion of objectives/ends of war: p. 90-95 (theoretical and real world)
Theoretical p. 90
Occupy the country to prevent further raising of military forces
Break the enemy’s will to fight, or they will always just keep going
Add in two real world reasons for making peace:
Improbability of victory
Unacceptable cost
The value of the political objective determines the magnitude and direction of conflict. Once those parameters are overreached, then peace must be made. P. 92
The political goal of war can change during the conflict as it is impacted by changing events during the conflict.
Questions strategists need to ask: p. 92-94
How can you make success more likely?
How do you make war more costly for your enemy?
Seizure of enemy territory
Increase enemy’s suffering
Wear down the enemy (physical/mental exhaustion)
Projects with the media, political purpose
Possibly waiting enemy attack
Destroy the enemy’s forces
Means of war discussion p. 95-
Only Combat, although there are many forms.
Whole of military activity is ensuring that Soldiers fight at the right place and the right time (engaging the enemy)
Goal of engagemt can be varied, may not just be for the destruction of the enemy
That is true, whether or not the engagement occurs. It is movie the threat of destroying the enemies forces, the threat is sufficient.
Positive vs. negative purpose of engagements: the policy with a positive purpose calls the act of destruction into being; the policy with a negative purpose, waits for it. P. 98
The main effect of the negative policy is to delay a decision, it does not necessarily avoid bloodshed
"Theory becomes a guide to anyone who wants to learn about war from books; it will light his way, ease his progress, train his judgment and help him to avoid pitfalls.
Theory is not a cookbook of exactly what to do (this analogy comes from the 20 min podcast)
Lays out a guide of how to apply training for the commander using this book
"War is an act of force to compel the enemy to do our will"