Clausewitz Karlvon

Clausewitz Karlvon

(1780-1831) Prussian military theorist whose posthumously published masterpiece On War (1832-34) has influenced modern strategic theory and theories of WARFARE. Clausewitz's central ideas were premised on the assumption that STATES are sovereign, recognizing no authority above themselves. Since states promote their own interests, if necessary at the expense of other states, they are always potentially in conflict. Warfare, therefore, must be seen as a ‘normal’ occurrence in the relations between states, in a situation where there is no higher authority than states. In a famous phrase of Clausewitz, ‘war is politics by other means’. See also TOTAL WAR, NEO-CLAUSEWITZIANS.

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