E-LEARNING AIE 2010- Lecture on Clausewitz and Theory on War.

Dr K S Balakrishnan, JPAS.UM (15 November, 2022)

Introduction:
It is important to read about Clausewitz and his scholarly contribution because, while he was a
military general, one cannot disregard him as an outstanding strategic thinker of that era whose
work and ideas remain relevant even today. Carl Von Clausewitz was always writing from an
analytical point of view about war, strategy and history. One can see how he developed a
theoretical perspective or approach to understanding or explaining war as a phenomenon. He
was far ahead of many strategists that we can think of. His way of thinking about strategy
different from the many due its intellectual or analytical depth even though he comes from a
military background. He was not fascinated by the success of Napoleon in conquering Europe.
He knew very well that Napoleon can be defeated. He was focusing more on history and also
permanent features in war.
Brief Background:
Karl Von Clausewitz is a world renowned strategist (1780-1831), who went into a military school
in Berlin and entered the military at a very young age like Napoleon. He was a Prussian General
who fought in several military campaigns.
He was different than many strategic thinkers and totally outstanding in his time, particularly in
analysing the Napoleonic War era. He was involved in debates with other strategists of the time
who praised Napoleon’s war strategies. He did analyse all the factors including the
mathematical, geographical and planning dimensions of wars of that era which was often
credited to Napoleon and the French army. Clausewitz did not see Napoleon as a great warrior
as amplified by others. In fact he helped Prussia to stay aloof from the destruction and also
defection to see the defeat of Napoleon. He predicted the downfall of Napoleon better than
anyone of his era.
His famous writing or book is on Vom Krieg or popularly known as On War. This book is an
illustrious volume on war, extremely comprehensive about the details on war, strategy and
planning. Even today, all the important military generals read this or at least keep it as a part of
important collection. Even academics could not avoid but purchase one for collection and
reading. Other writing include of the role of the state and international relations.
Significant Contribution on the Theory on war.
What makes Clausewitz outstanding is he lived far ahead with foresight as a military thinker,
analyst or a scholar on war. No one during his time wrote about war with that much of details
and explain war as a phenomenon that can be found in the book On War.
He was the first the popularized from analytical point of view that “war as an extension of
policy” which is prevalent in all our International Relations and Strategic Studies literature. This
is commonly used as an in idea even in foreign policy, not just in defence policy. It is a very
realist way of thinking and explains state behavior even today.
Thinking about war, Clausewitz prefered to analyse war from a historical perspective. This was
later followed by all other thinkers including the great naval thinker like Alfred Thayer Mahan.
In his explanation on theory on war and in his writings about war, Clausewitz emphasised a lot
on comprehensive thinking. I have summarized many key points for students to ponder and
read more on this:
1. Preferred a historical method in analyzing war.
2. War as an “extreme but natural expression of policy”.
3. War as a tool of politics.
4. Understanding the permanent elements in war is more important than tactics, and
strategy.
5. Analyse war as a phenomenon and the structure of war.
6. Understand the causes of war.
7. Created a theoretical understanding about war.
8. Using mathematical and geographical perspectives can be too superficial.
9. A meaningful theory on war must include all elements.
10. A comprehensive theory based on constants and absolutes.

It is important for us to see why I say he had a theoretical approach compared with all other
thinkers of his time. What do I mean is that Clausewitz was trying to develop a generalization
about war as a phenomenon? He was developing abstraction by pondering or thinking about
war more deeply than others who were more deeply focus on strategy and tactics of winning
war.
This is where Clausewitz emerged as a general cum scholar. His analysis on war is intellectually
defendable.
In thinking about war, Clausewitz noted the importance of several key elements:
1. Morale of the soldier. In winning a war.
2. Psychology of the soldier or forces in winning wars.
3. Emphasised the social factors or understanding the society. Intelligence.
4. Evaluate the emotional dimension. Intelligence.
5. Importance of allies. Alliance building, etc. Strategy.
6. Defence is better than offence. Strategy.
7. Two kinds of war: 1. Limited War 2. Absolute War.
 8. Permanent elements always present in war. (Physical, social, political, psychological,
force, time, space etc.)
9. Interaction between politics and strategy. Political character of war. Political leadership.
10. War as an extension of poli
11. Centre of gravity. Culminating points in war.
12. Trinity in war. Violence, Chance and Political Purpose. (a combine understanding of
these is vital).

Conclusion:
On War by Clausewitz is definitely a thick volume which was actually completed by his wife
because of his early demise. A lot of details could be found in this book. It is full of ideas on
thinking about war, campaign and organizing the military. It includes planning in all dimensions.
Even though Clausewitz did not witness the modern fighting forces of the present era, his ideas
are supreme and razor sharp transcending centuries which can be highly applied even in all
current military campaign.
The details about planning and logistics are so comprehensive. As a thinker, one could see why
he was successful in seeing Napoleon’s defeat. He was able to see Napoleon’s weak points with
time. His analysis is more sharp and comprehensive too. As a strategist, he was not into
expanding war for his country but more for changing the fate of Europe that was stormed by
the Napoleonic era. He was more interested in understanding war from broader perspective so
that he could save his country from such a big disaster caused by Napoleon. The key elements
and ideas that he has presented are useful for any strategist. For example, the supremacy of
defence is later followed by other thinkers like Liddell Hart and so on.

Additional References :
1. Carl Von Clausewitz (1832), On War. (Ed and Translation. By Michael Howard and Peter
Paret (1976), Princeton: Princeton University Press.)
2. Carl Von Clausewitz, Principles on War. (Edited by Hans W Gatze, 1942).
3. Peter Paret (1976), Clausewitz and the State, Princeton: Prnceton University Press.
Online Resources for Students:
For books and articles see www.clausewitz.com.