Science, Strategy and War The Strategic Theory of ... - Boekje Pienter

Strategic theory often has an impact on the formulation of strategy in the realworld. 74 . Following Clausewitz rather closely, George argues in his book that policy relevantgeneric knowledge aid policy analysis and a policy maker’s judgment through providing thetools to make a sound diagnosis of a problem situation; and it can help identify an effectivepolicy response for dealing with that problem. It has a diagnostic task and a prescriptive one,with an emphasis on the former 75 . Good theories according to him provide relevant anduseful conceptual frameworks by means of which to understand the general requirements ofa strategy and the general logic associated with its effective employment. Such theoreticalconceptualknowledge is critical for policymaking. And all policymakers make use of somesuch theory and conceptual frameworks, whether consciously or not. In employing a strategythey rely on assumptions, often tacit, about the strategy’s general requirements and logic 76 .Indeed, as Gray observes, ‘wherever one looks in modern strategic history one findstestimony to the influence of ideas…there is always a strategic theoretical dimension to themaking, execution, and doing of strategy 77 […] The messy world of defense policy and theuse of force provides both the permanent reason why strategic theory is important’ 78 .The traffic between ideas and behavior in strategic affairs is continuous. As theintellectual history of strategy bears the stamp of particular perceptions and interpretationsof strategic experience, so strategic behavior is shaped by the attitudes and ideas that weknow as strategic culture. In the practical world of strategy, strategic ideas apply toexperience, while strategic experience constitutes ideas in action 79 . Strategic theory provides aframework for formulating advice and aiding judgment. Ideas help shape behavior, even asthey are shaped in turn by behavior 80 .74 At first sight Gray casts doubt about the causal relationship between strategic theory and strategicbehavior. Strategic behavior can flow from the interaction of many factors, among which a particularbook of general strategic theory is never likely to rank high. Because strategy is a practical subject,with, moreover, the most far-reaching of implications for society and individuals, those who wouldadvise about it are obliged to provide answers to the questions posed by pragmatically mindedpolitical and military clients. The study of war and strategy is subsequently sidelined by the pressingneeds of the state for immediate answers to problems such as weapons choice and deployment, or theuse of airpower in irregular conflict. Strategy is an issue area understood by politicians, military leaders,and society at large with regard to specific circumstances of security and insecurity. Strategic theoristsoccupy the same historical space and time as do their “clients”. As a result many works of strategytheory have a way of descending into the field of application, or applied strategic study. Who needsabstractions when concrete solutions are needed. See Gray (1999), p.122. George made a similarobservation on the relevance of international relations theory and diplomatic practice and real worldforeign policy making. Policy specialists have a strong aversion to the idea that theory can haverelevance and potential utility for policymaking.75 Alexander George, Bridging the Gap, Theory and Practice in Foreign Policy (United States Institute ofPeace Press, Washington DC, 1993), p.xx. He deliberately uses the term generic knowledge as asubstitute for theory because in his experience policymakers are adverse to theory but interested ingeneric knowledge. See p.xix.76 Ibid, p.xviii.77 Gray, Modern Strategy, pp.35-36.78 Ibid, p.123.79 Ibid, p.134. In a later chapter this reflexive character of strategy will be discussed more in detail.80 Ibid, p.4.25