Overview

Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831) is the father of modern Western military strategy. His book On War is dense, philosophical, and essential.

Core Idea

The core idea is Politics. “War is the continuation of politics by other means.” War is not an end in itself; it is a tool to achieve a political goal.

Formal Definition

Author of Vom Kriege (On War). Famous for concepts like Friction and the Fog of War.

Intuition

  • The Fog of War: In war, everything is uncertain. You can’t see over the hill.
  • Friction: “Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult.” Mud, fear, and broken radios make the plan fail.
  • Center of Gravity: The hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends. Strike that.

Examples

  • Vietnam War: The US won the battles (tactics) but lost the war because the political goal was unclear (Clausewitzian failure).
  • Total War: Clausewitz predicted the rise of absolute war involving the whole population.

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: He loved war.
    • Correction: He analyzed it coldly. He saw it as a terrible act of force.
  • Misconception: He advocated “Total War” in a genocidal sense.
    • Correction: He described “Absolute War” as a theoretical extreme, not necessarily a recommendation.

Applications

  • Strategic Studies: Every military academy teaches Clausewitz.

Criticism and Limitations

  • Complexity: On War is unfinished and contradictory (dialectical).

Further Reading

  • On War by Carl von Clausewitz