Carl Von Clausewitz: A Philosopher of Warfare

Paper Summary:

This papers isolates some of Clausewitz's core ideas about warfare and then demonstrates how modern warfare has been affected by these ideas. As examples, the writer draws on Nazi Germany - where military theorists misapplied some of Clausewitz's core ideas - and the modern age of warfare - characterized by technology and terrorism.

From the Paper:

"Unlike other war historians and strategists, Clausewitz avoided maxims. Reading his central text, On War, is not like reading Sun Tzu. Clausewitz's understanding of warfare was more complicated. It relied on the central tenet that war was an integral part of the world order. Thus, he felt war should be studied and analyzed, not simply avoided as being distasteful (Cannon par. 13). Clausewitz's philosophy attempted to build an understanding of war as it fit into the larger function of society. It was important to understand how wars were won, and what war's purpose was in the larger scheme of things."

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