On War
Quick Summary
Carl von Clausewitz's On War is a seminal work on military strategy. Clausewitz, a Prussian general, viewed war as a continuation of politics by other means, emphasizing that military action should serve clear political objectives. He argued against rigid rules for warfare, highlighting the inherent uncertainty, chance, and "friction" that complicate military operations.123
Clausewitz distinguished between total war, driven by revolutionary ideals, and limited war, dictated by political aims. His theories evolved, and On War, though unfinished, profoundly influenced military thought, particularly regarding the relationship between politics and warfare.132
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total war…major work Vom Kriege (On War), he rejected the limited objectives of 18th-century warfare, in which winning local military victories was regarded as the key to advantageous diplomatic bargaining, and described wars as tending constantly to escalate in violence toward a theoretical absolute. Clausewitz also stressed the importance of…
Read More…major work Vom Kriege (On War), he rejected the limited objectives of 18th-century warfare, in which winning local military victories was regarded as the key to advantageous diplomatic bargaining, and described wars as tending constantly to escalate in violence toward a theoretical absolute. Clausewitz also stressed the importance of…
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warEvolution of theories of war…Clausewitz in his famous classic On War (1832–37).
Read More…Clausewitz in his famous classic On War (1832–37).
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strategyFundamentalsIn his classic strategic treatise, On War (1832), Clausewitz emphasizes the uncertainty under which all generals and statesmen labour (known as the “fog of war”) and the tendency for any plan, no matter how simple, to go awry (known as “friction”). Periodically, to be sure, there have been geniuses who…
Read MoreIn his classic strategic treatise, On War (1832), Clausewitz emphasizes the uncertainty under which all generals and statesmen labour (known as the “fog of war”) and the tendency for any plan, no matter how simple, to go awry (known as “friction”). Periodically, to be sure, there have been geniuses who…
Read More