Table of Contents
What are the three components of the clausewitzian paradoxical trinity?
In Prussian theorist Carl von Clausewitz’s seminal military treatise, On War, he introduced the “paradoxical trinity.”[1] The trinity is a useful tool to conceptualize the chaos of war and has been described as the tension between three fundamental elements of war: the government, the people, and the army.
What is real war Clausewitz?
To Clausewitz, ‘War is nothing but a duel on an extensive scale… an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfill our will,’ directed by political motives and morality. (
How does Clausewitz define a center of gravity?
A center of gravity is the one element within a combatant’s entire structure or system that has the necessary centripetal force to hold that structure together. This is why Clausewitz wrote that a blow directed against a center of gravity will have the greatest effect.
What is enemy center gravity?
Military analysts and historians commonly refer to a force or capability as the “enemy center of gravity,” meaning that this force is of such strength that it will need to be addressed (attacked, destroyed, or neutralized) to achieve the objective of the operation.
What is the Army center of gravity?
“The center of gravity of an armed force refers to those sources of strength or balance. It is that characteristic, capability, or locality from which the force derives its freedom of action, physical strength, or will to fight. Clausewitz defined it as ‘the hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends.
Is von Clausewitz a realist?
Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in some respects a romantic, also drew heavily on the rationalist ideas of the European Enlightenment.
What does Clausewitz mean by center of gravity?
What did Clausewitz say about center of gravity?
[22] Since, as Clausewitz stated, “the effect produced on a center of gravity is determined and limited by the cohesion of the parts,” the energy that holds the system together is equivalent to the “gravity” of that system.
What does Clausewitz say about the center of gravity?
Why is von Clausewitz important?
2. Why is he so famous? Clausewitz’s fame is largely due to the importance and influence of his magnum opus, On War, unquestionably the most important single work ever written on the theory of warfare and of strategy, although both the book and its impact have been interpreted and misinterpreted in wildly varying ways.
What are some criticisms of Clausewitz’s general theory?
In fact most criticisms of Clausewitz deal to a greater extent with the perceived influence he had than with his actual writing. Since the General Theory encompasses a whole series of different approaches to warfare, subsequent theorists and practitioners (strategists) have been able to add to Clausewitzian thought as well. [v]
Are there any revivals of Claude Garamond?
Many revivals bearing Claude Garamond’s name have been released by various foundries (many of them actually being based on the work of Jean Jannon, and italics by Robert Granjon). Uses are tagged with this generic entry unless a specific revival is confirmed (see Related Typefaces). “Make Haste.
Was Clausewitz the Mahdi of the masses?
In the infamous words of Sir Basil Liddel Hart, Clausewitz was “the Mahdi of the masses and mutual massacres,” a reference to the perception that he was the proponent of absolute war. [32]