Cohesion: Exploring the Myths and Opening the Veil

Abstract

Much has been written, argued, and contemplated of Clausewitz's concept of "center of gravity". This paper focuses on the unique role of cohesion and its relationship to a center of gravity. Clausewitz states in On War: "The fighting forces of each belligerent - whether a single state or an alliance of states - have a certain unity and therefore some cohesion. Where there is cohesion, the analogy of the center of gravity can be applied. If the presence of cohesion points toward the enemy's center of gravity as Clausewitz indicates, one must ask - What is cohesion? If one cannot logically define, identify, and target enemy cohesion - How can it be attacked?

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 24, 2008
Accession Number
ADA481492

Entities

People

  • Charles D. Donnell

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adaptive Systems
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Cohesion
  • Communication Channels
  • Communication Systems
  • Computer Networks
  • Education
  • Information Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Research
  • Network Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Social Sciences
  • Students
  • Teamwork
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.
  • Strategic Security Studies