Clausewitz and Strategic Studies Essay

Words: 2652
Pages: 11
Open Document
Strategic Studies Essay
“Choose a pre-20th century military strategist and show how/why their ideas remain relevant in the 21st century.”

Major General Carl von Clausewitz was a staff officer in the Prussian Army in the early parts of 19th century, suffering defeat in 1806, but leading Prussia back to glory in 1815. However, he was better known as a military theorist, and today is recognised as an integral figure in the evolution of military strategy, for many of his ideas are still prominent and embedded in the modern day strategies used today.

Clausewitz is renowned for his famous work On War (Vom Kriege), in which he records his observation in analytical form, shaped by military and political considerations. His writings come from 39 …show more content…
Finally, although the Americans were well equipped, the technology they employed were more suited for conventional warfare, thus in this instance it failed to accomplish the same job.
4

Co lin Gray, Clausewit z, History, and the Future Strategic World, Prepared fo r the Strategic and Co mbat Studies Institute Conference – „Past Futures‟, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, 3-4 July, 2003, p21.

-4-

Another one of Clausewitz‟s ideas which has lasted til now, is his notion on successful strategy, depends on the link between people, government and military; and that defence is favoured over attack. Using a bar stool analogy, these three legs of factors must be evenly balanced and collaborated in order to achieve a favourable outcome.

“War is more than a true chameleon that slightly adapts its characteristic to the given case. As a total phenomenon its dominant tendencies always make war a remarkable trinity – composed of primordial violence, hatred, and enmity, which are to be regarded as a blind natural force; of the play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam; and of its element of subordination, as an instrument of policy, which makes it subject to reason alone.”5 In recent conflicts, it is noticeable that when
Show More

Related Documents: Clausewitz and Strategic Studies Essay

Clauseewitz Essay

The purpose of this essay is to expand on the applicability of these theories in today’s modern warfare where non-state actors play a larger, more global role. The study of theory, especially translated theory, requires an open mind to determine its applicability to various and ever-changing situations. In the case of Clausewitz, many strategists do not view his theories as relevant to today’s wars involving a Nation State vs. non-state actors. This is not true. The U.S. Army Command and General…

Words 1374 - Pages 6

The Metaphorical Description Of Carl Von Clausewitz's Paradoxical Trinity

Clausewitz Analytical Essay 05 September 2012 The Metaphorical Description of Clausewitz’s Paradoxical Trinity Carl Von Clausewitz expressed utter contempt for the military theorists of his day which motivated him to devote considerable time into producing his magnum opus titled On War. Even Herbert Rosinki, an authority on warfare in the mid twentieth century, wrote in his book (The German Army) that On War is “the most profound, comprehensive, and systematic examination of war that has…

Words 546 - Pages 3

On War: Clausewitz's Strategy

remained constant, objectives have changed because our leader's challenges and opportunities have changed. In his early 19th century manuscript On War, Clausewitz posited that strategy and war was uncertain, unpredictable, and marked by chance. While sound and consistent political objectives marked by good decision making can make the execution of strategic objectives at all levels of war more achievable, it is impossible to eliminate uncertainty and friction because of countless unforeseeable variables…

Words 1877 - Pages 8

Strategic Management Case Study

1. Introduction: VanBaren (no date) believe that the purpose of strategic management is given distinct direction to satisfy the customers’ needs to employees by planning the steps to the goals. Strategic management are often use by companies to evaluate and analysis of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to set put the goals and try to achieve them. This analysis assist companies to understand current conditions in their field industry and environment, the purpose is to turn weaknesses…

Words 995 - Pages 4

Essay on The Concept of Strategy and Strategic Management

THE CONCEPT OF STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT G. Tyge Payne, PhD 1 Strategic Management Strategy: The unifying theme that gives coherence and direction to the decisions of an organization Strategic Management: Consisting of the analysis, decisions, and actions an organization undertakes in order to create and sustain competitive advantages. Or, the Strategic Management Process is: The full set of commitments, decisions, and actions required for a firm to create value and earn aboveaverage…

Words 1697 - Pages 7

Napoleon Industrial Revolution

“War is a fundamental reality of social and political existence.” Any study of the evolution of a particular society will inevitably include a study of the conflicts it engaged in with other societies. The nature of these conflicts has evolved along with the societies that engaged in them. Accordingly, the evolution of the western way of war is the result of the evolution of Western societies. Technological advances changed the way that antagonists killed each other in war. However, technological…

Words 1411 - Pages 6

Why UN Forces Defended Pusan Perimeter in the 1950 Korean War Essay

The Decisive Factors in the UN Forces’ Defense of the Pusan Perimeter in the 1950 Korean War GOV-­‐451 Kyle Gaines 11/19/12 1 1 “Battle of Pusan Perimeter…

Words 6853 - Pages 28

International Relations Theory

2.2.2 Historical development of International Relations The narration of international relations as a distinct discipline can be marked out back to a number of years past; Buzanand Little for instance, believe the relations of very old Sumerian city-states, early in 3,500 BC, as the primary fully-fledged international arrangement (Barry & Buzan, 2000). The King Wladyslaw IV official portraits dressed in Polish, French and Spanish fashions replicate the multifaceted politics of the Polish-Lithuanian…

Words 1616 - Pages 7

Essay about Mintzberg 5 Ps of Strategy

The Strategy Concept I: Five Ps for Strategy* Human nature insists on a definition for every concept. The field of strategic management cannot afford to rely on a single definition of strategy, indeed the word has long been used implicitly in different ways even if it has traditionally been defined formally in only one. Explicit recognition of multiple definitions can help practitioners and researchers alike to maneuver through this difficult field. Accordingly, this article presents five definitions…

Words 9158 - Pages 37