War as an Instrument of Policy: Past, Present and Future

by Ronald J. Stupak

Overview

War as an Instrument of Policy examines the principles of war and how they may apply to the method of decision making in the higher realms of government when military and civilian leaders meet. It begins with an exploration of the emergence of a new kind of limited war beginning with the Vietnam conflict and discusses the principles of war along with typical military theory and strategy to clearly provide an understanding of the thought processes and actions behind the conducting of a war. Two contemporary examples, the Gulf War in 1990 and the South African invasion of Angola in 1987, provide the opportunity to examine the process of military decision-making on every level in these conflicts. Finally, methods of successfully and carefully employing a military methodology of decision making to capitalize on the success of war are suggested.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761808435
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	06/25/1998
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	5.62(w) x 8.74(h) x 0.76(d)

About the Author

David V. Nowlin recently retired after thirty years in the Air Force which included service on the faculty of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and as professor at the Air War College. Ronald J. Stupak is Dean and Distinguished Faculty Research Scholar of Management at Mt. Vernon's College for Effective Organizational leadership.

Editorial Reviews

...a solid reference text, a comprehensive study...belongs on the shelves of research libraries and in graduate seminars in the fields of public administration and military science.

Comparative Strategy

...the best hope for successful war making lies in ensuring a detailed knowledge of the principles of war by all decision makers, civilian and military, combined with practical experience and positive working relationships between those same decisionmakers.

Marine Corps Gazette

... a compelling argument that the principles of war provide a rational, structured approach to whether and how to use militay power.

Military Review

The authors attempt to provide a rational, structured approach to the question of whether and how to use military power. Their thesis is that application of the classic principles of war can not only lead to success on the battlefield, but also provide the basis for good decision making at the highest levels of government where military and civilian leaders come together. They analyze principles of war and apply them to the Angola campaign of 1987 and Operation Desert Storm. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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