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War Is The Continuation Of Politics

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Humanity has resorted to war as a fundamental way to settle their differences. War, per Clausewitz is the act of force to compel the enemy to do our will. Sun-Tzu believed that war was to subdue the enemy without fighting. However it is defined, every culture has its motives for why they go to war and how it should be conducted. Western states attempt to settle their differences by diplomatic means; when diplomacy fails, war ensues. War is often used as the means to an end and according to Clausewitz “war is the continuation of politics.”
The Western way of conducting war is built on five foundation; superior technology, disciplined soldiers, the means to finance wars, and military traditions. Disciplined soldiers, superior technology, and the financial means to fund wars are three elements that have defined success and shaped conflicts throughout Western Civilization. Disciplined soldiers have always been the core of any effective military strategy based on the employment of tactics and the effectiveness of their weapons. Superior discipline and training was an integral part of infantry training and the basis for Western success.
Starting in the sixteen century European states experienced a military revolution that transformed armies into disciplined and powerful military machines that lay the ground work for world dominance. Key to this revolution were larger standing armies, increase fortification, tactical innovations, and gunpower weapons which led

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