![]() Moreover, a different interpretation will be offered that shows On War’s inclusiveness and applicability to other manifestations of war. This section shows that there is proof that ‘small wars’ are included in Clausewitz’s thinking and work. The third section examines whether some of the main criticisms that On War does not explicitly addresses forms of war other than interstate war are true. Second, since much of the criticism and discussion about On War revolves around the notion that the nature of war has changed, either because of a shift from state to non-state actors or rather because of the ways and means used in war, Clausewitz’s view of the nature of the war will be examined, as well as his ideas about the manifestations of war that can change over time. It will be argued that through its methodology of analysing opposing extremes and its non-prescriptive nature it is an important source for the study of war that itself remains a cornerstone for the education of strategic leaders. Outline articleįirst, On War will be briefly introduced by explaining its objective. This article addresses the question whether the historical thinker Clausewitz’s main work On War is still relevant in the world of today’s conflict. They claim that as a result of technology – in particular information technology – the disrupting factors that Clausewitz considered integral to the nature of war – uncertainty, danger, fear, courage, chance and friction – could be devalued or made redundant. With the state becoming less of an actor Clausewitz’s so-called trinity that links the concept of war to the three tendencies of passion, chance and reason was also undermined by critics like Creveld and Keegan. Other scholars, such as Toffler, Owens, Summers and others, have additionally argued that the nature of war has changed because of a Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). Violent conflicts tend to be longer, more pervasive, less decisive, fragmented and with more non-state actors claiming power through identity rather than territory. Mary Kaldor, exemplifying the new wars thinking, argues that the nature of wars has changed. ![]() According to this school violent conflicts emerge less between states the lines between state and non-state actors are blurred. With the rise of intrastate conflicts, civil wars and, in particular, terrorism in the last two decades, a ‘new wars’ school of thought has dismissed On War as a relic from the past. This premise is why the work is often considered to be applicable only to larger interstate wars. The work is based on rigorous analysis of the wars of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, all being wars between nation-states. ![]() Forces on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan: Mattis admits he doesn’t have all the answers, but says reading gives him valuable insights. Photo US Department of Defense, A. Retired US General and current Secretary of Defence James Mattis during a Q&A session with U.S. Overall, in spite of its flaws and sometimes contradictory insights, it is one of the very few books in the Western world that seeks to present a theory of war. First, it is seen as ‘the one truly great book on war yet written’ and second, as ‘often quoted but little read’. Most scholars would agree that On War can generally be characterised in two diametrically opposed but accurate ways. On War is a standard source for those interested in war and armed conflict, in particular after the 1976 translation by Paret and Howard. ‘The worst readers are those who behave like plundering troops: they take away a few things they can use, dirty and confound the remainder, and revile the whole.’ Is On War still relevant in the world of today’s conflict? With the rise of intrastate conflicts, civil wars and, in particular, terrorism in the last two decades, some thinkers consider On War as a relic from the past. ![]() It is a standard source for those interested in the phenomenon of war and armed conflict. ![]() First published in Germany in 1832, On War, consisting of eight books numbering more than seven hundred pages, is still widely read. Libraries have been filled with works and critiques analysing, examining, deconstructing, explaining, glorifying or reviling Carl von Clausewitz’s seminal work On War. ![]()
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