theory of war capsule: part ii schools of strategic thought

Theory of War Capsule: Part IITheory of War Capsule: Part IISchools of Strategic ThoughtSchools of Strategic Thought

Schools of Strategic ThoughtSchools of Strategic Thought

Continental School.Continental School. Maritime School.Maritime School. Aerospace School.Aerospace School. Revolutionary School.Revolutionary School.

– Guerrilla war.Guerrilla war.– Rural Insurgency.Rural Insurgency.– Urban Insurgency.Urban Insurgency.– Terrorism.Terrorism.

Continental SchoolContinental School

Chanakya/Kautilya - 325 BC

Sun-tzu - 300 BC

Clausewitz - 1780 - 1831 AD

Jomini - 1779 - 1869 AD

Liddle Hart - 1895 - 1970 AD

KAUTILYAKAUTILYA ArthashastraArthashastra Balance of Power (Mandala Concept)Balance of Power (Mandala Concept) Theory of Expanding EmpiresTheory of Expanding Empires Concept of Territorial DefenceConcept of Territorial Defence On Principles of StatecraftOn Principles of Statecraft

– SamaSama :: NegotiationsNegotiations– DanaDana :: RewardReward– BhedaBheda :: DivideDivide– DandaDanda :: PunishmentPunishment– MayaMaya :: Deceit, TreacheryDeceit, Treachery– UpekshaUpeksha :: IgnoreIgnore– Indrajal Indrajal :: Psy war, Deception Psy war, Deception

On Philosophy of WarOn Philosophy of War

– Last resortLast resort

– Continuation of State PolicyContinuation of State Policy

– Use High Strategy to Sap the Enemy’sUse High Strategy to Sap the Enemy’s

Morale (Psy War)Morale (Psy War)

– Emphasis on Trg of Armed ForcesEmphasis on Trg of Armed Forces

– Stress on Selection of Ground for diff Mil OpsStress on Selection of Ground for diff Mil Ops

– Thoughts on Org & Conduct of Covert WarsThoughts on Org & Conduct of Covert Wars

– Imp of Int and EspionageImp of Int and Espionage

Sun TzuSun Tzu War is nothing but a continuation of Political War is nothing but a continuation of Political

intercourse with an admixture of other means.intercourse with an admixture of other means. War is a matter of vital imp to the State - hence War is a matter of vital imp to the State - hence

importance of proper study of the subject.importance of proper study of the subject. Destroy the enemy’s army without engaging it.Destroy the enemy’s army without engaging it. Take his cities without laying siege.Take his cities without laying siege. If war is inevitable :-If war is inevitable :-

– Win in shortest possible time.Win in shortest possible time.– At least cost in terms of lives, resources & effort.At least cost in terms of lives, resources & effort.– With infliction of least casualties on the en.With infliction of least casualties on the en.

Effect of war on economyEffect of war on economy

Shape the enemy.Shape the enemy. On Deception.On Deception.

– When capable, feign incapacity.When capable, feign incapacity.

– When near, make it appear as if you are far.When near, make it appear as if you are far.

– Move as a ghost in starlight.Move as a ghost in starlight.

Know the mind of the en Cdr.Know the mind of the en Cdr. Avoid prolonged campaign.Avoid prolonged campaign. Withdraw offensively.Withdraw offensively. Weather & Terrain.Weather & Terrain. Flexible tactics.Flexible tactics. National unity.National unity.

ClausewitzClausewitz

War is a continuation of State policy.War is a continuation of State policy.

Viewed war as an art.Viewed war as an art.

Strategic triad of Govt, military & people.Strategic triad of Govt, military & people.

Synergy between political & military leaders.Synergy between political & military leaders.

Theories on conduct of war – Theory as a Theories on conduct of war – Theory as a

Guide.Guide.

JominiJomini

Views similar to Clausewitz.Views similar to Clausewitz.

Both were influenced by the exploits of Both were influenced by the exploits of

Napoleon.Napoleon.

While Clausewitz was philosophical, Jomini While Clausewitz was philosophical, Jomini

was more doctrinaire. was more doctrinaire.

Tried to derive a framework of rules for the Tried to derive a framework of rules for the

conduct of war.conduct of war.

Liddel HartLiddel Hart

Indirect approach.Indirect approach.

Formulated principles on which modern Formulated principles on which modern

mobile warfare would be fought.mobile warfare would be fought.

Concepts studied by German General Concepts studied by German General

Staff=> Blitzkrieg. Staff=> Blitzkrieg.

Foresaw implications of nuclear wpns.Foresaw implications of nuclear wpns.


Oldest school – most applicable presently in Oldest school – most applicable presently in

our context.our context.

Theories shaped by the way wars were Theories shaped by the way wars were

fought – to capture & fought – to capture & retainretain territory. Req territory. Req

defeat & annihilation of en mil forces.defeat & annihilation of en mil forces.


Main Charactersitics:Main Charactersitics:

– Wars revolved around clash of massed armies.Wars revolved around clash of massed armies.

– Modern interpretation:Modern interpretation:

AF & Navy essentially exist to sp the land battle.AF & Navy essentially exist to sp the land battle.

Also the crux of existing “turf battles”.Also the crux of existing “turf battles”.


Applicability to modern Wars:Applicability to modern Wars:

– Continues to be applicable with modifications.Continues to be applicable with modifications.

– AF & Navy have roles besides sp of land battle. AF & Navy have roles besides sp of land battle.

Req is for jt application of avl mil force for max Req is for jt application of avl mil force for max

synergy.synergy.

Maritime SchoolMaritime School

Alfred T Mahan - 1890Alfred T Mahan - 1890

Sir Julian Corbett - 1910Sir Julian Corbett - 1910


Alfred MahanAlfred Mahan– Influenced by Jomini.Influenced by Jomini.– Big navies with overseas bases for power Big navies with overseas bases for power

projection => Command of the sea through projection => Command of the sea through decisive encounters.decisive encounters.

– Impact of maritime power on economics.Impact of maritime power on economics.– Factors affecting dev of maritime power, incl Factors affecting dev of maritime power, incl

geographical position, extent of territory etc.geographical position, extent of territory etc.– Failed to appreciate effect of sub-surface Failed to appreciate effect of sub-surface

warfare, and airpower.warfare, and airpower.


Sir Julian CorbettSir Julian Corbett

– Theater specific sea control (“Control of Theater specific sea control (“Control of

passage & passage & CommunicationCommunication”). ”).

– Weaker fleet to remain in existence by avoiding Weaker fleet to remain in existence by avoiding

encounters. encounters.

– Impact of sub-surface warfare and airpower not Impact of sub-surface warfare and airpower not

factored.factored.

Maritime SchoolMaritime School Covers exploitation of the sea medium in peace & war.Covers exploitation of the sea medium in peace & war. Historically concepts understood even before formal Historically concepts understood even before formal

theories put up.theories put up.– Ancient Roman fleet.Ancient Roman fleet.– Maritime capabilities of colonial powers:Maritime capabilities of colonial powers:

SpainSpain PortugalPortugal FranceFrance BritainBritain

Only school of strategic thought that operates under Only school of strategic thought that operates under geographical constraints (Mahan).geographical constraints (Mahan).Applicability to modern war (by syndicate)Applicability to modern war (by syndicate)

Aerospace SchoolAerospace School

Douhet - 1873 - 1930 AD Douhet - 1873 - 1930 AD

Mitchell - 1878 - 1936 AD Mitchell - 1878 - 1936 AD

Trenchard - 1873 - 1956 AD Trenchard - 1873 - 1956 AD

Col John Warden USAF Col John Warden USAF

Aerospace SchoolAerospace School Wars can be won by air power alone (D)Wars can be won by air power alone (D) Air power could make protracted wars obsolete (D)Air power could make protracted wars obsolete (D) Command of the air (D)Command of the air (D) Emp of air power (T & M) :-Emp of air power (T & M) :- - Primary : centers of pop & industry- Primary : centers of pop & industry - Secondary : in sp of army- Secondary : in sp of army Creation of air force as an independent service Creation of air force as an independent service

(D, T & M)(D, T & M) Five ring theory of Col Warden.Five ring theory of Col Warden.

Applicability to modern war (by syndicate)Applicability to modern war (by syndicate)

Revolutionary SchoolRevolutionary School

Guerrilla warfare.Guerrilla warfare.

Rural Insurgency.Rural Insurgency.

Urban Insurgency.Urban Insurgency.

Terrorism.Terrorism.


Revolutionary WarRevolutionary War. Process that involves . Process that involves the forcible overthrow of a Govt, or an the forcible overthrow of a Govt, or an attempt to do so with the purpose of attempt to do so with the purpose of destroying an existing society and its destroying an existing society and its institutions, and replacing them with a institutions, and replacing them with a completely new structure.completely new structure.

Revolutionary war occurs within the state, Revolutionary war occurs within the state, whereas, a conventional war is essentially whereas, a conventional war is essentially an external phenomenon.an external phenomenon.


Necessary ingredients:Necessary ingredients:

– Popular sp.Popular sp.

– Organisation.Organisation.

– Cohesion.Cohesion.

– External sp.External sp.

– Environment.Environment.

– Effectiveness of the victim Govt.Effectiveness of the victim Govt.


Marx : Marx : – Urban centric communist revolutionary warfare.Urban centric communist revolutionary warfare.

Polarisation of society due economic disparity => Polarisation of society due economic disparity => violent overthrow of the elite.violent overthrow of the elite.

Applicable to Industralised nations.Applicable to Industralised nations.

Lenin:Lenin:– Modified framework to fit conditions prevailing in Modified framework to fit conditions prevailing in

Russia. Urban centric.Russia. Urban centric.

Focus on political aspects.Focus on political aspects.


Mao Tse Tung:Mao Tse Tung:– Combined both pol & mil aspects.Combined both pol & mil aspects.– Modified to rural base to suit China.Modified to rural base to suit China.

Small core of ‘believers’.Small core of ‘believers’. Pol indoctrination of expanding cadre.Pol indoctrination of expanding cadre. Expand ambit to guerrilla warfare against Govt Expand ambit to guerrilla warfare against Govt

forces, encompassing pol, social & economic fields.forces, encompassing pol, social & economic fields. End state: Total takeover of the Govt. Control of End state: Total takeover of the Govt. Control of

the country.the country.


Vo Nguen Giap:Vo Nguen Giap:

– Modified Mao’s theories to suit conditions Modified Mao’s theories to suit conditions

peculiar to Vietnam to overthrow the French peculiar to Vietnam to overthrow the French

sponsored Vietnamese Govt.sponsored Vietnamese Govt.

– Emphasized transition from guerrilla warfare Emphasized transition from guerrilla warfare

to conventional warfare in final stages.to conventional warfare in final stages.

– Greater focus on international sit, & outside sp.Greater focus on international sit, & outside sp.


Che Guevara:Che Guevara:

– Modification of Mao’s theories:Modification of Mao’s theories:

Revolutionary sit can be created.Revolutionary sit can be created.

Pol aspects take precedence over mil Pol aspects take precedence over mil

aspects.aspects.

Advocated use of suburban guerrilla activity.Advocated use of suburban guerrilla activity.


Applicability to modern warfare:Applicability to modern warfare:– Insurgency & terrorism applicable:Insurgency & terrorism applicable:

International SystemInternational System. Greater voice, . Greater voice, reduction in sovereignty of individual states. reduction in sovereignty of individual states. Can pass moral judgment, and even Can pass moral judgment, and even intervene (Kosovo).intervene (Kosovo).

Involvement by neighbouring States.Involvement by neighbouring States. Terrain / GeographyTerrain / Geography. Shift towards urban . Shift towards urban

areas.areas.

Indian Philosophy of WarIndian Philosophy of War

No expansionist thought – self sufficiency.No expansionist thought – self sufficiency.

Non-aggressive attitude – tolerant.Non-aggressive attitude – tolerant.

Defensive in nature – reactive.Defensive in nature – reactive.

Non-alignment (?)Non-alignment (?)

Peaceful co-existence – Panchsheel.Peaceful co-existence – Panchsheel.

Defensive strategy.Defensive strategy.

Indian Philosophy of WarIndian Philosophy of WarExternal Perceptions

1994 Rand Corpn study – India potential future 1994 Rand Corpn study – India potential future threat:threat:– Ancient civilization & stable democracy.Ancient civilization & stable democracy.– Only country to have created another country by use of Only country to have created another country by use of

force since WW II.force since WW II.– Agro Industry – overtaken USA in milk production.Agro Industry – overtaken USA in milk production.– Will dominate computer field with 30% share.Will dominate computer field with 30% share.– Ability to act – Maldives.Ability to act – Maldives.– INDIANS HAVE FAITH IN EVERYBODY EXCEPT INDIANS HAVE FAITH IN EVERYBODY EXCEPT

THEMSELVES.THEMSELVES.

Essential Production

En Command

Tpt network

Popular Sp

Fielded Mil Forces

Col Warden’s Five Ring Theory

theory of war capsule: part ii schools of strategic thought

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