The Art of Political Warfare

The Art of Political Warfare highlights the striking similarities between politics and war. Applying military thought to domestic politics, John J. Pitney, Jr., persuasively argues that the language of war teaches us about political activity. Combining lively story telling with solid scholarship, he ranges across history to produce a unique field manual for politics. Pitney discusses how military principle can explain victory or defeat in politics, whether for an election campaign or a legislative blitz. Each chapter takes a single concept form the military—strategy, leadership, training, intelligence, deception logistics, friction, family-and applies it to political concerns ranging from campaign warchests to legislative tactics. This strikingly original book will appeal to campaign operatives, armchair political strategists, and students of political science. In this presidential election year, The Art of Political Warfare is necessary reading for people fighting in the political trenches those who simply want an engrossing view of the battlefield. The Art of Political Warfare highlights the striking similarities between politics and war. Applying military thought to domestic politics, John J. Pitney, Jr., persuasively argues that the language of war teaches us about political activity. Combining lively storytelling with solid scholarship, he ranges across history to produce a unique field manual for politics.

Pitney discusses how military principles can explain victory or defeat in politics, whether for an election campaign or a legislative blitz. Each chapter takes a single concept from the military-strategy, leadership, training, intelligence, deception, logistics, friction, and family-and applies it to political concerns ranging from campaign warchests to legislative tactics.

This original book will appear to campaign operatives, armchair political strategists, and students of political science. In this presidential election year, The Art of Political Warfare is necessary reading for people fighting in the political trenches or for those who simply want an engrossing view of the battlefield.

Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 1 Introduction......Page 14 2 Strategy......Page 32 3 Leadership......Page 53 4 Coordination......Page 72 5 Rallying the Troops......Page 91 6 Demoralization, Deception, and Stealth......Page 111 7 Intelligence......Page 131 8 Geography and Logistics......Page 151 9 Friction and Finality......Page 171 10 Scholars and Metaphors......Page 192 Notes......Page 212 C......Page 250 D......Page 251 G......Page 252 L......Page 253 N......Page 254 R......Page 255 S......Page 256 Z......Page 257 "The Art of Political Warfare highlights the striking similarities between politics and war. Applying military thought to domestic politics, John J. Pitney, Jr., persuasively argues that the language of war teaches us about political activity. Combining lively storytelling with solid scholarship, he ranges across history to produce a unique field manual for politics." "This book will appeal to campaign operatives, armchair political strategists, and students of political science."--BOOK JACKET. Drawing parallels between war and politics, the author explains why military principles can be applied to an understanding of the events, concepts, concerns, issues, and practices of political life. This book develops a simple idea: politics resembles warfare, so military literature can teach us something about political action.