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The Art of Political Warfare
Drawing parallels between war and politics, the author explains why military principles can be applied to an understanding of the events, concepts, concerns, issues, and practices of political life.
- GenresPolitics
246 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 15, 2015
The title intrigued me, so I gave this book a read. My bottom line up front: largely a waste of time. The very idea that politics can use warfare strategy is on solid ground, but the author fails to address the concept that war IS politics (by other means).
The author describes many historical political tactics using strategic contexts from Sun Tzu to Liddell Hart to Clausewitz; however, a strategy is never presented...not even a discussion on how to connect the dots between tactics in order to achieve a political end state. The strategists the author quotes are often taken out of context to support his assertions.
In addition, the author mixes domestic and international politics; social and governmental politics; and tactics and strategy.
Chapter 5-8 offer some interesting insights, but nothing you wouldn't gain from any strategy survey (see Freedman's book).
My recommendation is to read the original strategy books. This isn't a bad read...it's more of an essay on what has happened in politics (in the context of strategy) rather than on what to do. The title threw me off.
The author describes many historical political tactics using strategic contexts from Sun Tzu to Liddell Hart to Clausewitz; however, a strategy is never presented...not even a discussion on how to connect the dots between tactics in order to achieve a political end state. The strategists the author quotes are often taken out of context to support his assertions.
In addition, the author mixes domestic and international politics; social and governmental politics; and tactics and strategy.
Chapter 5-8 offer some interesting insights, but nothing you wouldn't gain from any strategy survey (see Freedman's book).
My recommendation is to read the original strategy books. This isn't a bad read...it's more of an essay on what has happened in politics (in the context of strategy) rather than on what to do. The title threw me off.
February 23, 2012
Warfare is a very appropriate metaphor for our political system in the US, and this book is a wonderful exploration of that theme and has some material that would be worthy of reflection for all participants of the political system, Left or Right, Politician, Activist, or Citizen.
March 11, 2008
Sun Tzu for the campaign trail. Very solid.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews