Sun Tzu Final

7/31/2019 Sun Tzu Final

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MIL THEORIST

SUN TZU

1. Back Gr. Sun Tzu, also referred as Sun Wu and Sun Tzu lived in China nearly 2500

years ago (from 453 to 300 BC). His book The Art of War is one of the oldest books on military

strategy in the world. It is the first and one of the most successful works on strategy and has had ahuge influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, and beyond. Sun Tzu

was the first to recognize the importance of positioning in strategy and that position is affected both

by objective conditions in the physical environment and the subjective opinions of competitive actors

in that environment. He taught that strategy was not planning in the sense of working through a to-

do list, but rather that it requires quick and appropriate responses to changing conditions. Planning

works in a controlled environment, but in a competitive environment, competing plans collide

creating unexpected situations. His thoeries had a vast application in the history and even today

they are relevant and are being followed.

2. Theories. In his book he gave 13 theories, which are:-

a. Laying Plans. In this he explores the five key elements that define competitive

position (mission, climate, ground, leadership, and methods) and how to evaluate your

competitive strengths against your competition.

b. Waging War. Explains how to understand the economic nature of competition

and how success requires making the winning play, which in turn, requires limiting the

cost of competition and conflict.

c. Attack by Stratagem. He defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and the

ingredients`(breaking the enemys resistance without fighting, need for planning

strategies, requirement of good leadership and need of having complete knowledge of

both the enemy and ones own self) that you need to succeed in any competitive

situation.

d. Tactical Dispositions. Explains the importance of defending existing positions

until you can advance them and how you must recognize opportunities, not try to

create them.

e. Energy. It means the use of creativity and timing in building your competitive

momentum. It includes use of dir and indir method of fighting battle.
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f. Weak Points & Strong. In this chapter he explains how your opportunities come

from the openings in the environment caused by the relative weakness of your

competitors in a given area.

g. Maneuvering. Explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those

confrontations when they are forced upon you.

h. Variation in Tactics. Focuses on the need for flexibility in your responses. Iexplains how to respond to shifting circumstances successfully.

i. The Army on the March. He describes the different situations in which you find

yourselves as you move into new competitive arenas and how to respond to them.

Much of it focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.

j. Terrain. In this he looks at the three general areas of resistance (distance

dangers, and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each

of these six field positions offers certain advantages and disadvantages.

k. The Nine Situations. He describes nine common situations (or stages) in a

competitive campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus you need to

successfully navigate each of them.

l. The Attack by Fire. Explains the use of weapons generally and the use of the

environment as a weapon specifically. It examines the five targets for attack, the five

types of environmental attack, and the appropriate responses to such attack.

m. The Use of Spies. He focuses on the importance of developing good information

sources, specifically the five types of sources and how to manage them.

3. Analysis. While, starting the book, Sun Tzu wrote, The art of war is of vital importance to

the state. It is an undeniable fact that war has been and is still an important feature of a states life

Thus, beginning with the focus on the importance of warfare for a state, Sun Tzu set the base for his

book. Throughout the test he focused on the ways and means that guide to learn this task of vita

importance. Starting with the planning for war he justifiably handled all aspects related to warfare

including waging war, strategies to be employed, tactical dispositions, maneuvers, marching of

armies, importance of terrain, methods to overcome physical obstacles, use of force and use of

spies, etc in thirteen chapters of this small military manual. He recommended various steps in order

to avoid defeat and gain victory.

a. First chapter points out five underlying factors i.e good leadership, obedience of

soldiers to the leader, knowledge of the physical conditions, including weather, terrain

and atmosphere etc, clear understanding of strength and weaknesses and leading of

military in accordance with rules and regulations, maintenance of lines o


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communication and the control of military expenditure. Sun Tzu believed that victory

will be attained by the one who will have understanding of all these five principle

factors and whose understanding of these will be reflected by his actions. Universality

of these rules add to their importance for all times. He also wrote, According to

circumstances, one should modify ones plans. Thus, suggested flexibility in

accordance with the conditions and mode of warfare. If one follows ones plans asdevised before the war, and during the battle the enemy does not respond the way he

is expected and the conditions are changed then sticking to the devised plans bring

nothing but disaster and ruin.

b. Another aspect of considerable importance has been highlighted by him in these

words, All warfare is based on deception. This means that enemy should be

deceived as much as possible. One should never let ones enemy know about ones

plan, strategies, strengths and weaknesses. Rather, need to make him fall into

illusions and confusions.

c. In waging war Sun Tzu pointed out aspects that are relevant to all times. Everything

ranging from the estimation of costs to the stress and strain involved therein. He

predicted that a prolonged warfare brings heavy loss. A clear manifestation of turning

of this prediction into reality was in the case of Vietnam War. When a major power of

the time was in confrontation with a comparatively very smaller and weaker state, yet

the former suffered unbearable loss since conflict became very prolonged and

protracted one.

d. The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause the peoples

substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, the peasantry

will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of

strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and three-tenths of their

income will be dissipated; while, government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out

horses, breast-plates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective

mantles, drought-axen and heavy wagons, will amount to four-tenths of its tota

revenue. Thus, state can bring loss to another by raising the level of threat and

making the enemy spend heavy cost in order to make his defence credible.

e. Emphasizing the importance of attacking by stratagem Sun Tzu said, To fight and

conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; it consists breaking the enemys

resistance without fighting. Though, he himself has illustrated in detail the strategies

and tactics that should be followed by a general and his army, when the war is

physically fought. Yet, more credit has been attributed by Sun Tzu, to those who win


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even without fighting. This principle has been highly appreciated in the contemporary

world. Ones strength against enemy, requirement of good leadership and the need of

having complete knowledge of both the enemy and ones own self are the battle

winning factors and are truly applicable in all the times.

f. Sun Tzu laid excellence as criteria for victory with ease. This can be attained only by

full preparation and adherence to the rules of war. Moreover, he introduced twodifferent methods of warfare, i.e. direct and indirect. He attributed victory to the indirect

method since in all fights, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirec

methods will be needed in order to secure victory. This principle has also proved its

validity even in the current age. Tactics like guerilla warfare and media warfare are

nothing else but means of indirect strategy. The importance of quick decision-making

and speedy actions which are significant for both direct and indirect methods of

warfare cannot be ruled out.

g. Sun advised to avoid attacking what is strong and to strike at what is weak. This

means one should never attack at the point where the concentration of enemys forces

lie. Rather, action should be taken where the enemy is weak so that the resistance

would be minimized gradually. When enemys strength will be destroyed in bits and

pieces, concentration will be dispersed and it will become easier to defeat.

h. Sun Tzu has underlined conditions for successful maneuvering. He believed that

knowledge of the enemys area, flexibility in strategy or the art of deviation, rapidity of

movement and division of booty among the soldiers are crucial determinants in the

maneuverability with ease. He also made detailed recommendations about when and

where to fight and where not to fight.

j. The Army on the March, focuses on the methods that help in developing unde

standing and ability of interpretation of various situations that an army comes across in

a war. It also helps to make judgments about enemys positions, strengths and

vulnerabilities at different points and time.

k. While discussing terrain, Sun Tzu highlighted importance of physical conditions of

warfare. The nature of terrain that should determine the decision regarding the

movement in enemys areas. He predicted consequences of decisions made

irrespective of terrain. The practical manifestation of his predictions were also seen

during Cold war era especially in Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989).

l. Sun Tzu described nine situations of the ground along with the strategies that should

be followed in each case. Sun Tzu wrote, Those who were called skilful leaders of old

knew how to drive a wedge between the enemys front and rear; prevent co-operation


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between his large and small divisions; hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad

the officers from rallying their men. When the enemys men were united, they

managed to keep them in disorder. This means that the enemys lines of

communication should be targeted and broken in order to bring disorder to the

enemys force.

m. He suggested, Throw your soldiers into positions where there is no escape, and theyface death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth

their uttermost strength. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If

there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will

show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard. It is the fear of

death that prevents the soldiers to take bold actions. And if they are left with no choice

except to fight or die it will make them show extreme courage. The result of the same

strategy was witnessed in the success of the forces led by Tariq bin Ziad in the eighth

century A.D.

n. Moreover, Sun Tzu recommended continuous change in ones plans in order to

prevent the enemy to anticipate ones policies and purposes.

o. Sun Tzu described the choice of the targets in an attack by fire. He suggested five

ways in this regard, first is to burn soldiers in their camps; second is to burn stores;

the third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines and

the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy. Choice of the targets made by sun

Tzu is as relevant today as it was at his time.

p. The Use of Spies gives a comprehensive idea about the employment and assigning

of tasks to the spies. Sun Tzu said that foreknowledge of the enemy is of crucia

importance in the successful employment of strategies and attainment of victory while

this knowledge can be gained through spies who can go deep into the enemys

territory and bring the required information. He described five types of spies i.e. Local

spies, inward spies, converted spies, doomed spies and surviving spies.

4. Application of Theories in Contemporary World. The rate of Change has accelerated in

each millennium, technology has brought the warfare of spears and arrows to the age of destructive

nuclear weapons. But, the timeless wisdom of the strategic rules set forth by Sun Tzu has not

changed. Fundamental strategic truths are the same for all times and all generations.

a. Napoleon is said to have studied Sun Tzu's military writings and used them to

successfully wage war against the rest of Europe. Napoleon's disregard of some of the

central principles, such as attentiveness to temporal conditions, is largely credited for

his eventual defeat in Russia.
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b. Mao Zedong partially credited his defeat of Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalists in

1949 to the disregard of Art of War. It strongly influenced Mao's writings abou

guerrilla warfare, which further influenced communist insurgencies throughout the

world.

c. General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. during the Gulf War, put to practice Sun Tzu's

principles of deception, speed, and attacking the enemy's weakness.

d. China's push to become a superpower in the 21st century can be crated to following

Sun Tzus theories. Hundreds of modern Chinese scholars explicitly rely on historica

strategic lessons and the Art of War in developing their theories. They perceive a

direct relationship between their modern struggles and those of China in Sun Tzu's

time.

e. The Art of Warhas been applied to fields well outside the military. Much of the text is

about how to fight wars without actually having to do battle: it gives tips on how to

outsmart one's opponent so that physical battle is not necessary. As such, it has found

application as a training guide for many competitive endeavors that do not involve

actual combat.

f. The book has gained popularity in corporate culture; there have been a variety o

business books written applying its lessons to "office politics" and corporate strategy

Many Japanese companies make the book required reading for their key executives

The book is also popular among Western business management, who have turned to

it for inspiration and advice on how to succeed in competitive business situations.

g. The Art of Warhas also been the subject of various law books and legal articles on the

trial process, including negotiation tactics and trial strategy.

h. It has also crept its way into sports asAustraliancricket coach John Buchanan handed

out excerpts from the book to his players before a match against England in 2001

Soccercoach Luiz Felipe Scolari uses the book to plot his Soccer strategy.

j. Sun Tzu's broad concept of war that "peace and war are difficult to distinguish from

each other and are part of the same ongoing conflict." As such, Sun Tzu's theory of

war for understanding the outcomes of terrorist campaigns has direct applicability and

is a resource to guide not only military leaders but also political leaders. His Art of War

codifies from a broad perspective the threat of military action combined with non-

military methods such as diplomatic, economic, psychological means could be used to

attack an enemy's alliances and strategy which would lead to the greates
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedonghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-shekhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Schwarzkopf,_Jr.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_officerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crickethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchanan_(cricketer)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_(soccer)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_Felipe_Scolarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedonghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-shekhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Schwarzkopf,_Jr.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_officerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crickethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchanan_(cricketer)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_(soccer)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_Felipe_Scolari


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achievement of winning without fighting by convincing the enemy to yield or switch

sides.

k. Sun Tzu never plead for an all-out war, the same way the contemporary world passing

through the nuclear era at one hand and following the rift of globalization at the other

hand, is in a position to afford a full-fledged war.

l. Sun Tzu emphasized on indirect warfare that implies for guerrilla war as practiced bymany including Mao Tse Tung, Castro, Che Guevera and even today. It was the

practical manifestation of Sun Tzus ideas in the contemporary age.

m. Another important factor that makes Sun Tzus ideas more relevant to our times is

based on his emphasis on information as an instrument of leverage in warfare. This

idea is based on the fact that when states are technologically equal or they are at least

in a position to counter the enemys attacks, then the only thing that can bring decisive

results is the access to information. The one who will be better informed will have

more chances of bringing loss to the enemy. Sun Tzu recommended the use of spies

in order to accomplish this task of gathering knowledge about the enemy. He gave a

comprehensive idea about how to employ the spies and how to make them able to

bring information. Now the contemporary period is often known as the age of

information. Access to intensive channels of media, satellites, advanced electronics

and computer technology provides everyone with much better and easy opportunity to

get maximum knowledge about the enemy and abut ones own self.

Bibliography

1. Crenshaw, M., Terrorism in Context, Penn State University Press, 1995.

2. Griffith, S.B., Sun Tzu Art of War, London, Oxford University Press, 1971.

3. Handel, Michael I., Masters of War, London, Frank Cass Pub., 2001.

4. Hashim, A.S., The World According to Usama Bin Laden, NWC Review, 2001.

5. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Sun Tzu Final