Information is Power, Using Information is Powerful: Components of a National Information Strategy
Abstract
The United States finds itself in the midst of the information age without a national security or military strategy that fully supports this new environment. Information strategies were present in previous U.S. administrations and military operations extending throughout the country's history. The difficulty is that these strategies were not clearly defined as informational approaches to achieving ends. The current National Security Strategy addresses diplomatic, economic, and military power, but does not provide any substantial effort to instill an information campaign into the overall national strategy. The nation will shape the 21st century through effective use of information and information technology. In this paper, the author explores the idea that information is an integral part of all national strategies and will play a critical part in furthering expansion of democracy to secure liberty and justice for all. The paper first establishes a working definition for information and various strategies. Based on this definition, the paper examines application to modern warfare and potential for the future. It provides historical and business examples of information strategies to examine effects and trends that may contribute to current strategies. The paper places emphasis on explaining the common principles of the information element of power and information technology. It describes the future military vision for information superiority and discusses interdependent components of information. The author concludes that an information strategy is inextricably linked to a National Security Strategy and is relevant to the continued success of U.S. international diplomatic and economic relations. It offers one potential avenue for meeting the challenges of the information-age environment envisioned in the near future by avoiding traditional military operations and protecting the nation's precious resources. (19 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 16, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA424312
Entities
People
- Wayne A. Parks
Organizations
- United States Army War College