STRATEGIC STUDIESSTRATEGIC STUDIES(GFPS3043)(GFPS3043)

Introduction Introduction L-1L-1

Nature of Strategic Studies? 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? What is Strategic Studies?

Definition by,

0Clausewitz0Von Moltke0Liddell Hart0W.Murray and M Grimslay0Grogery D.Foster0Robert Osgood0Collin 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 OsgoodWh

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• 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..

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• 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..

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• 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

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Development of Development of ‘SS’‘SS’?

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

Part of the problem, not the solution

State centric

Why?Why??

0Relation between Strategic Studies and Realist ‘School of Thought’0 Human nature – inherently selfish, destructive, competitive and

aggressive, prone to conflict due to pride and egoism0 Anarchy and power – international arena is in anarchy, state

struggle for power to protect and survive. 0 Limited role of international law, morality and institutions –

without effective government state will respond only base on interest

0Clausewitz -

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

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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

Military

Environmental security

Economic Security

Social Security

Political Security

TRADITIONALNON-TRADITIONAL

Strategic Studies in IR & SecurityStrategic Studies in IR & Security

Political SciencesPolitical Sciences

International Relations

Security/Conflict StudiesSecurity/Conflict Studies

STRATEGIC STUDIES

SOCIAL SCIENCES

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.

Why Strategic Studies is needed?Why Strategic Studies is needed?

IssuesIssues?

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

Issues of interest in Strategic StudiesIssues of interest in Strategic Studies

Key Key ConceptsConcepts?

Key Concepts : Strategic Studies

0Strategy0Grand Strategy0Theatre Strategy0Sphere of Influence 0Sphere of Interest 0Pre-Emptive Strike0Terrorism0Alliance – i.e. NATO & Warsaw Pact0 Insurgency0Deterrence

ConclusionConclusion