Clausewitz and Chaos: Friction in War and Military Policy. . - Net Assessment - book review

Clausewitz and Chaos: Friction in War and Military Policy by means of Stephen J. Cimbala. Praeger Publishers (http://www.greenwood.com/imprints/index.asp?ImprintID=I8), 88 column Road West, West-port, Connecticut 06881-5007 2000 240 pages, $6800

This work is yet another endorsement of Clausewitz's military theory--specifically, his descriptive analysis of friction in war. It attempts to draw contours between "classical" Clausewitzian military theory and contemporary chaos theory. Thus, it is the union of sum of two units schools of thought--one that has stood the ordeal of time and acquired nearly biblical prestige in military and political circles, and single that is struggling to make a mark. Stephen Cimbala may appear to be putting of recent origin wine in old wineskins, on the other hand the old skins still work fine.

The author's message is clear that friction has always been part of strategy, politics, and war. It is still a fundamental reality of those processe and will remain with equal reason in the future. As Clausewitz noted, it is the difference between "war upon paper" and war. Depending upon one's perspective, friction both plagues and benefits deterrence crisis management, and peace operations. Friction applies to revolutions in military affairs. Despite programmatic attempts to argue otherwise, technology cannot eliminate friction or flat accommodate it. This is because friction bring forths friction. Although some technologies may address a certain number of forms of friction, they will bring forward other friction in the process

For example, a classic national endeavor involves eliminating political friction militarily, military friction economically, or economic friction politically. Then, of course, individual finds many variations on that theme. Historically, however, the rise is more friction, sooner or later. Gimbala points to various historical case studies to establish the point. In addition, he focuses upon present-day conflicts to argue that friction is here to stay.

Readers looking for a solution to this dilemma will be disappointed, and rightly for a like reason No solution exists. Gimbala argues that soldiers and politicians alike must always appreciate the existence of friction and its importance in all activities. Simply knowing that friction exists can help predict its effects--and, hopefully plan accordingly.

All this may be no more fathomless or illuminating than Clausewitz's original description, and Cimbala may be guilty of overstating the obvious and making the simple more complex--thus adding friction himself. Moreover, purist Clausewitz disciples, no doubt, will gaze for inaccurate interpretations and applications. Clausewitz and Chaos, however, is effective in making the reader think about friction, and that, after all, is Cimbala's purpose

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