Art of War between Sun Tzu and Niccole Machiavelli - Research Paper Example

First Last Number 9 September Comparing and contrasting art of war between Sun Tzu and Niccole Machiavelli Warhas been described by many as a ‘necessary evil’. Political and social emanate from quarrels such as oil interests and freedom of liberation. Sun Tzu and Machiavelli were military might’s, whose philosophies continue to reign in the better part of the world. They believed that war is necessary to be fought and won. This paper is going to discuss the difference between these two former military figures, and their similarities. Their principles which contributed to the present day military operations will be identified with present day practical example. Sun Tzu is believed to be a Chinese military strategist from the Zhou dynasty period. He wrote a book which was translated to English by many scholars, who and his work impressive. His writings has been adopted by military forces across be to defeat enemies. One of the common strategies include, To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. . .The skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. With his forces intact he disputes the mastery of the empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph is complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem of using the sheathed sword (Tzu, 6). This strategy was very evident when North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces waged war against Libya’s authority figure, Mahmoud Gaddafi. The NATO forces deliberated on destroying the air base, which was imperative for military operations. Although analysts suggested that this was a bad course, destroying the city of Tripoli, this was purely a military operation with was strategized. Main purpose was to expand military advantage, both on air and on sea. Nichole Machiavelli was a philosopher from the city of Florence in Italy, during the Renaissance period. He engaged the military for an extensive period while he served in the public office. He believed in hostility and greater respect for the authority. He also believed that diplomacy was part of solving problems, but when it fails, war options should be explored (Machiavelli, On The Art of War). Machiavelli believed that leaders must be respected and to owner this, one was to offer the most precious ornament one owns to the king as a sign of respect. According to Sun Tzu, war is very important in the society. He states that the art of war has five main factors which must be taken into account before commencement of military power. These are the sun, ethical decrees, power, the heavens and the technique and discipline (Tzu). All these five factors had a role to play in the laying of the war plan. This became evident when military take this philosophy as their shield before they set out to war. Both Sun Tzu and Machiavelli believed in heavy preparation before the battle. This was essential for winning. One of the preparation techniques prepared by Sun Tzu was that knowing your enemy would make you in a better position to win the war. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle (Tzu 11). War preparation should take place according to Tzu. This will enable the military have the power to protect residence. It is well noted that winning war does not necessarily mean one has to go to war. Either way, preparation according to (Potholm). Owing to this effect, military of many countries are formed after intense practice. This is for the purpose of training and preparation for war. No military would ever win any battle without this course of action (Murray). Machiavelli maintained that you should always be prepared and ready to adapt to the situation in place. Without adaptations, military will face difficulties, and this may result in the loss of a battle. Assumptions that technology is mighty and can win any war is vague (Murray). Right people and right technology should be adopted for the purpose of the war in question (Gingrich). Fear of change noted by Murray, has always been installed on peoples mind . it is therefore important according to machiavelli that before preciding to war, there should be an adaptaion of weaponery used and familiarity of the environment. Machiavelli stated that, I compare fortune to one of those violent rivers which, when they are enraged, flood the plains, tear down trees and buildings, wash the soil from one place to deposit it in another. Everyone flees before them, everybody yields to their impetus, there is no possibility of resistance. Yet although such is their nature, it does not follow that when they are flowing quietly one cannot take precautions, constructing dykes and embankments so that when the river is in flood they would keep to one channel or their impetus be less wild and dangerous. So it is with fortune. She shows her potency where there is [no well-regulated] power to resist her, and her impetus is felt where she knows there are no embankments and dykes built to restrain himself (Machiavelli, The Prince, 97) Tsu however believed that one should be able to change plans so that it can favour any situation. He explained that when in war, no situation should be ambiguous and flexible minds could be useful for forming new strategies to defeat the enemy. He said that “according [as] circumstances are favoured, one should modify one’s plan” (Tzu 8). Most military have acquired change of plans during operations to combat the enemy. Most recently was the capture of Osama, which was lead by a ‘special team.’ Sun Tsu conversely, believed that other than preparation, there was a need for one to know the warebouts of the enemy. This is confirmed by (Gingrich) that war cannot be won if you have no knowledge of who your enemy is. One needs to know who they are fighting against, have a background check. Other than that, there is need to acquire information about their military might. With this information, a team is able to come up with connective strategies which can overpower the enemy. An example to this situation is the Iran situation. military should be careful when the enemy is coarsive as possibility of great harm may be within reach. There should be extensive analysis and military operations should only take place once knowledge about the enemy and his power mights are known. Machiavelli believed in the notion of ‘no retreat, no surrender’. This would only give these enemies the upper hand to rule over you and that would not be acceptable. He would make sure that in war, nobody should ever retreat even if the opposing military seem to be powerful. E added that; … We must distinguish between those who depend on others, that is between those who to achieve their purposes can force the issue and those who must use persuasion. In the second case, they always come to grief, having achieved nothing; when, however, they depend on their own resources and can force the issue, then they are seldom endangered (Machiavelli, The Prince, 6) Most military only retrieve once they are satisfied threat is minimised to their satisfactory level. Withdrawal of military from Iraq and Afghanistan was effected once the US felt the enemy was nolonger powerful. War is all about deceitful methods. This is agreeable as methods of deceit has been applied to win battles on the field (Latimer and Gingrich). Sun Tsu believes that strategy must be applied for war to be won. These include actions such as appearing weak while you have a mighty army. The American army has always used this approach on its army operations. For instance, its reluctant operation on North Korea and Iraq. Tsu’s explained this as follows… The ultimate in disposing one’s troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you. It is according to the shapes that I lay plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see the outward aspects, none understands the way in which I have created victory (Zapotoczny, 1). Machiavelli believed that one should not accept gifts from the unanticipated opponent or they will be under their compulsions to pay back. Gifts make individuals have expectation of reciprocating. He stated that, “When men receive [favours] from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor...” (Machiavelli, The Prince 46). He added that, “The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as by those they receive.” (Machiavelli, The Prince, 50). Both military believed that they should not push their enemies to the extreme. This concept is similar to the one suggesting, ‘keep your enemies closer.’ This evidently would enable them keep watch of their progress. The recent military operations on the It is evident that both machaveilli and Tzu had impacted the world since the prehistoric period to the current times. Most military forces ave quired ir hilosophies defeat their enemies. Even though machaveilli had political influence, both their approach to military philosophies seem to be similar. Both Machiavelli and Tsu believe in victory. These two would not settle for defeat. Paying attention to the ‘man behind the curtain’ is a critical idea for both Machiavelli and Tsu. With relation to the fact that the man behind the curtain could be your enemy, you may never know when they would decide to attack . According to Curie- journal.com, republicans and democrats always keep an eye on each other when suspicion arises. This was evident when one quiet republican individual believed he was the right candidate and wished death on his democrat opponent (Curie- journal.com). The modern military operation has evidently borrowed from these philosophers. Most concepts have been applied during war and have bore fruit to many operations. Modern individuals attribute most success to tecnological advances. Contrary to that effect, critical thinkers would agree this was a result of combined school of thoughts from ancient philosophists. Operations include a line of duty which is given to individuals. These were formed by the early commanders. It is well coherent that with improved technology which may work for or against the holder, military strength continue to expand everyday. Work cited Curie- journal.com. "Do pay attention to the man behind the curtain." Curie- journal.com (2013): 1. . Gingrich, Bob. Founding Fathers Vs. History Revisionists: In Their Own Words Founding Fathers Set the Record Straigh. Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2008. Latimer, Jon. Deception in War: Art Bluff Value Deceit Most Thrilling Episodes Cunning Mil Hist from the Trojan. New York: Overlook, 2003. Machiavelli, Niccolo. On The Art of War. Florence, 1520. 17 April 2012. . —. The Prince. Trains. William K. Marriott. Rockville: Arc Manor LLC, 2007. Murray, Williamson. Military Adaptation in War: With Fear of Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Pollack, Kenneth. The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America. Random House Publishing Group, 2005. Potholm, Christian P. Winning at war: seven keys to military victory throughout history. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006. Sherman, Nancy. Stoic Warriors : The Ancient Philosophy behind the Military Mind: The Ancient Philosophy behind the Military Mind. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Tzu, Sun. The Art of Law. Trans. Lionel Giles. 1910. 17 April 2013. . Zapotoczny, Walter S. Sun Tzu and Clausewitz Applied to War at Sea. 2006. 16 April 2013. . Read More