The Art of Political Warfare

by Pitney

The Art of Political Warfare highlights the striking similarities between politics and war. Applying military thought to domestic politics, John J. Pitney, Jr., persuasively argues that the language of war teaches us about political activity. Combining lively story telling with solid scholarship, he ranges across history to produce a unique field manual for politics. Pitney discusses how military principle can explain victory or defeat in politics, whether for an election campaign or a legislative blitz. Each chapter takes a single concept form the military―strategy, leadership, training, intelligence, deception logistics, friction, family-and applies it to political concerns ranging from campaign warchests to legislative tactics. This strikingly original book will appeal to campaign operatives, armchair political strategists, and students of political science. In this presidential election year, The Art of Political Warfare is necessary reading for people fighting in the political trenches those who simply want an engrossing view of the battlefield.

Genres: Politics

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Raj Agrawal · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Gary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sun Tzu for the campaign trail. Very solid.