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

(Paperback)

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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.

Reviews

...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 *
...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 *
...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 *

Author Bio

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.