Introduction to strategic studies & key concepts 2013 1

STRATEG
IC STUDI
ES
(GFPS304
3)

L- 1

Introductio
n

Nature of Strategic Studies?
0 The discipline of Strategic Studies concerns itself with the use of

force as an instrument of state policy, and remains an extremely
Clausewitzian entity, deriving from the Clausewitzian notion of
strategy as “the use of engagement for the purpose of the war”
[von Clausewitz, cited in Loo, B. (2012)]
0 As an academic discipline the early focus was on how wars start,

how they can be avoided, or if not avoidable, then fought in the
most efficient manner possible (Farrell, 2010: 1).
0 To this end, the focus of traditional strategic studies has been the

military means that actors in the international system employ to
gain their political objectives or ends.
0

What is Strategic Studies?
Definition by,
0Clausewitz
0Von Moltke
0Liddell Hart
0W.Murray and M Grimslay
0Grogery D.Foster
0Robert Osgood
0Collin S. Gray


….is the use of engagement for the object of war
(Clausewitz)
….is the practical adoption of the means placed at a general’s disposal to the
attainment of the object in war
(Von Moltke)
….is the art of distributing and applying military means to fulfill the ends of policy
(Liddell Hart)
….is a process, a constant adoption to the shifting conditions and circumstances in
world where chance, uncertainty and ambiguity dominate
(W.Murray and M.Grimslay)
…is ultimately about effectively exercising power.
Grogery D.Foster
…as the overall plan for utilizing the capacity for armed coercion – in conjunction
with economic, diplomatic and psychological instrument of power-to support foreign
policy most effectively by overt, covert and tacit means.
Robert Osgood


• Recently, thinkers argued that strategic studies or
‘strategy’ embodies more than just the study of war and
military campaigns, but strategy is the application of
military power to achieve political objectives. More
specifically “the theory and the practice of the use, the
threat of use of organized force for political purposes.
[Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Kautilya)
• Liddle Hart (1969) coinage the concept of ‘grand
strategy’, which involves the coordination and direction of
“all the resources of a nation, a band of nations, toward
the attainment of the political objectives”
• Strategy deal with difficult problems of national policy
which the areas of political, economic, psychological and
military factors are overlap..


• Strategic theory is a theory of action (Brodie, 1973),

which is best studied from interdisciplinary perspective
(which involve: politics, economics, psychology,
sociology, geography, tech, force structure, and tactics.)
• Strategic studies cannot be studied as a discipline on it

own, for it is too narrow, and rely upon arts, sciences and
social sciences for ideas.
• It is also studied by people from different expertise:

Schelling (Economist), Kissinger (historian) Brodie ( Sc
Politics) etc..

Evolution…

• This concern with operational issues helped revive an

interest among strategist with the different elements or
dimension of strategy (i.e: Collin Gray & Michael
Howard).
•

In “On War” Clausewitz, pointed that strategy consisted
of moral, physical, methamatical, geography & statistical
elements

During the Cold War, strategic studies became

one of the most important sub-discipline within
the international relations

Bernard Brodie – 1949 Article (Strategy as a

Science)

 Concerned about methodology – argued that strategic

studies need to be studied scientifically. “

1st Age of Strategic Studies “golden age” –

1950s/60s – 1980s [nuclear deterrence, limited
war, arms control] – utopian failed in WW2.

 1970s – A fallow period for Strategic Studies [Détente – a

relaxation period by signing SALT1 & SALT 2)

 1990s - 2nd Age of Strategic Studies - SDI (Bush Sr),

BMDO (Clinton) & NMD (Bush Jr)

 3rd Age? – mid-1990s-Now [the collapse of Soviet Union]

& the end of Cold War

 Security Studies emerged, eclipsed strategic studies as an

area of inquiry. What is the future of Strategic Studies?

?

What criticisms are
made of Strategic
Studies?

 Obsessed with conflict and force
 Insufficiently concern with ethical issues

 million of lives are at risk in the calculation that take place in

strategic policies

 Not scholarly in their approach

often advise government on paid basis, policy advocacy, part of
government advice and justify their policy

 Part of the problem, not the solution
 State centric

Reasons ?
0 Relation between Strategic Studies and Realist ‘School of

Thought’
0
0
0

Human nature – inherently selfish, destructive, competitive and
aggressive, prone to conflict due to pride and egoism
Anarchy and power – international arena is in anarchy, state
struggle for power to protect and survive.
Limited role of international law, morality and institutions –
without effective government state will respond only base on
interest

0 Clausewitz -

“Strategies are so preoccupied by threats to the interest of states
& ignore security issues within the state.”

Relationship
(Security & Strategic Studies)

 Strategy

= military (a part of security studies)
 Security studies covers broader definitions includes
everything that might negatively affect human affairs –
i.e environment..etc
 Security “freedom from threat to core values”
SECURITY STUDIES
TRADITIONAL

Military

NON-TRADITIONAL

Economic Security
Political Security
Social Security
Environmental security

Strategic Studies in IR & Security

SOCIAL SCIENCES
Political Sciences
International Relations
Security/Conflict Studies

STRATEGIC STUDIES

Why Strategic Studies is needed?
War is a serious business

"War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the
province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It
is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied" [Sun Tzu]
"You might not be interested in war, but war is
interested in you." [Trotsky]
 War is Inevitable
 Force and military power continue to be an important

currency in the international politics.

Issues of interest in Strategic Studies
 War
 Application of strategic thinking and ideas
 Threats (conventional and non conventional)
 Defense spending
 Nuclear and WMD issues
 Asymmetrical warfare (insurgency and terrorism)
 Alliance (military)
 Intelligence and information warfare
 Regional security threat

Key Concepts : Strategic Studies
0 Strategy
0 Grand Strategy
0 Theatre Strategy
0 Sphere of Influence
0 Sphere of Interest
0 Pre-Emptive Strike
0 Terrorism
0 Alliance – i.e. NATO & Warsaw Pact
0 Insurgency
0 Deterrence

Introduction to strategic studies & key concepts 2013 1

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Introduction to strategic studies & key concepts 2013 1