Summary of Book On War by Carl Von Clausewitxz

Carl Von Clausewitz is one of the most influential scholar in the history to write about the
essence of War and the Strategy of War. This book is written in 1832, mostly inspired by
Napoleon War. One of the greatest work about War, in which some people call it as “The
Western Art of War.” In this short essay, I will summarize two things: First is Book I Chapter
I, and second is Book II Chapter II.

Book One, Chapter One

In this chapter, Clausewitz divide his work into two parts, which are in theory and second in
practice. In theory means that he uses his thesis throughout the essence of war and how it
supposed to work in the abstract thought, or in the absolute term. What I meant by absolute
work is the condition where Clausewitz thinks in his mind how the essence of War will
supposed to be worked throughout its intention, the characteristics, and its ideal, where the War
is the only focus subject in ths world. But then, he would modify his thesis when it comes to
the practice and how War really works. In this part, Clausewitz try to gives us realistic
explanation and imagination on how War will not reach its idealism considering the existence
of other subjects in reality which become another concerns from the state and other obstacles
in reality that might not reach the idealism of war.

There are four big outlines that Clausewitz wrote about War in Introduction. First, he talks
about definition of War as a whole and when does war can be called as “War”. In this part, he
simply call War as “the act of physical force to compel the enemy to submit to our will.” Force
is the ways, disarming the enemy is the means, and to submit to our will is the ultimate goal.

Second, he talks about three kind of extremes in war, it is done through Maximum use of Force,
the Ultimate Aim, and the Maximum Exertion of Strength. These extremes works in a way that
the subjects that goes to the war will never use “kindness” or “prevent the bloodshed” to
achieve its goal. Clausewitz says, that anything that uses principle of Moderation in a war is
futile-even wrong- to become a part of war. Logically the parties will always use its maximum
force and exertion of strength since both parties want to win. Moreover, the aim to win should
go bold on put them defenseless untill it does not give any threat anymore in the long run.

Third, he talks about the practice on how this extremes might not likely go to the full extreme
in the reality under several conditions. Last but not least, he talks about on how war will always
be about political objective within a state, and thus a part of continuation policy. Put it in other
words, war is a means to achieve a political objective within a state. War is a policy.
Various elements

Various parts

whole in internal structure

1. Definition
a. Duel on a larger scale (compose by countess duels but picturing as a pair of wrestlers)
b. Physical Force to compel others to do his will through make him incapable of further
resistance
c. Use of Force, some extend stricted by art and science through int law and custom but not
significant
2. Maximum use of force
a. Some peope think true goal of the art of war is to disarm an enemy without too much
bloodshed, but war cannot tolerate the mistake from kindness.
b. Maximum use of force will always be used in war which no match with the use of
intellect. if, one consider the bloodshed and thus weaken their maximum force, then the
other side will dominate and win.
c. Each side will drive their opponents to go to he extremee point.
d. It is useless to think war was should not be brutal
e. savages and civilized are both bring brutality in war, what makes it less cruel is the social
conditions or default mindset they uphold.
f. Principle of Moderation in War is senseless
g. Motives of War: Hostile Feelings and Intenions. But War will always based on hostile
intentions, feelings come sometimes but not become main factors
h. However, war happens not merely about rational calculation, the emotions always exist
that motivates the war,
i. But just because emotions involve, does not mean that the war creates a full havoc as it
will kill all peope as their enemy, but intelligent plays role to make it more effiient and
effective to win the war
j. The aim is to disarm the enemy, should put enemy be unpleasant than our sacrifice.
should not be temporary oherwise it will retaliate.
k. Put him defenseless or this danger probable
l. war is the action between two living forces, if I didnt overthrow him, than he might
overthrow me
m. two kind of extremes in war: means and aim, both are extremes
n. to overcome enemy, should match the power of resistance: total means and strength of
will
o. third extreme: interaction where both enemy will compete to increase the effort or
means to disposal