School of War Ep 78: Hew Strachan on Clausewitz (New Makers of Modern Strategy #7)
Jun 20, 2023
Hew Strachan, Bishop Wardlaw Professor at the University of St. Andrews, digs into the enduring impact of Carl von Clausewitz on military strategy. He discusses the distinctions between limited and total war, emphasizing the emotional and political contexts that shaped Clausewitz's insights. The conversation explores the American embrace of Clausewitz and how his theories continue to influence modern conflicts, especially in light of the situation in Ukraine. Strachan also contrasts Clausewitz's ideas with those of Jomini, highlighting the complexities of military decision-making.
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Clausewitz's Intellectual Formation
- Clausewitz was a serious-minded military intellectual who balanced reading, self-education, and experience.
- His wife Mary von Brühl was crucial in shaping and preserving his work on war.
On War's Enduring Relevance
- On War is deeply rooted in Clausewitz's experience but aspires to universal theory.
- The enduring value lies in grappling with political and social change, not just battlefield specifics.
Clausewitz: Rational and Romantic
- Clausewitz's ideas are often deconstructed in reception before reconstructing understanding.
- His thought balances rational theory with deep emotional and nationalistic influences.
