Belief: Foundation of Military Strategy.
Abstract
The military is the most visible, physical projection of a nation's personality. The manner in which a country uses (or does not use) its armed forces reveals the calibre of its politics; intentions; resolve. Therefore, success as a sovereign power required a nation to apply its military ethically, according to the prevailing belief of its citizens. Military forces are employed through strategy which, in a democracy, is in direct support of national policy; to do otherwise will divide the country and endanger its nation status. A democracy derives its national policy from the will of the people. The will of the people is the collective expression of what their government should be and how it should act, and is the product of their belief. Thus, the military, which is a reflection of the nation as a whole, is directed through a strategy, supporting national policy, and derived from the will of the people; all founded on belief. This paper proposes: (1) Belief is basic to the personality of man and his endeavors; the will of the people springs from their belief, (2) The strongest belief among the people becomes their will which shapes the government and its national security policy, and (3) Military strategy in support of national Policy, is also derived from the belief of the people who build that government and shape its policy. Military strategy, then, is founded on the belief of the people and is no stronger than that belief.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA263590
Entities
People
- Joseph D. Smith
Organizations
- United States Army War College