Abstract
This article discusses the difficulties of analysing very complex problems by purely verbal or mathematical methods, and suggests that a compromise may lie in a formally rigorous approach of diagrammatic system description. The importance of Counter Insurgency Warfare is briefly reviewed, and the rigorous approach is applied to produce a diagrammatic model of the influences at work between Government and Insurgents. The feedback structures of the model are analysed to detect the asymmetric mechanisms of victory for both sides, and policy implications for the Government are analysed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brown, N. (1977). The Future Global Challenge. London: Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies.
Clutterbuck, R. (1967). The Long, Long War. London: Cassel and Co.
Coyle, R. G. (1977). Management System Dynamics. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Coyle, R. G. (1981). “The dynamics of the Third World War,” Journal of the Operational Research Society 32: 755–765.
Coyle, R. G. (1983). “Who rules the waves?” Journal of the Operational Research Society 34: 855–898.
Coyle, R. G. (in press), “Management of a hospital for short-stay patients,” Socio-Economic Planning Sciences.
Coyle, R. G. (1984). “East and West and North and South,” Futures 16(6): 594–609.
Darling, R. (1981). “Revolution examined anew,” in J. J. Williams (ed.), Political Warfare Studies. San Diego: U.S. Navy Amphibious School, pp. 79–90.
Deane-Drummond, A. (1975). Riot Control. London: Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies.
Evelegh, R. (1978). Peace Keeping in a Democratic Society. London: C. Hurst & Co.
Foley, C. (ed.) (1964). The Memoirs of General Grivas. London: Longmans.
Galula, D. (1964). Counter Insurgence Warfare. London: Pall Mall Press.
Geraghty, T. (1980). Who Dares, Wins: The Story of the SAS 1950–1980. London: Arms and Armour Press.
Grassey, T. B. ( 1981). “Some perspectives on revolution,” in J. J. Williams (ed.), Political Warfare Studies. San Diego: U.S. Navy Amphibious School, p. 70.
Greene, T. N. (ed.) (1962). The Guerilla and How to Fight Them. New York: Praeger.
Guevara, C. (1969). Guerilla Warfare. Harmondsworth: Pelican Books.
Hyams, E. (1975). Terrorists and Terrorism. London: J. M. Dent and Sons, 1975.
Kitson, F. (1960). Gangs and Counter Gangs. London: Barrie and Rockliff.
Kitson, F. (1971). Low Intensity Operations. London: Faber and Faber.
Kitson, F. (1977). Bunch of Five. London: Faber and Faber.
McCuen, J. J. (1966). The Art of Counter Revolutionary War. London: Faber and Faber.
Pakenham, T. (1979). The Boer War. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson.
Parker, G. (1979). The Dutch Revolt. Harmondsworth: Pelican Books.
Perkins, K. (I981). “Counter insurgency and internal security,” British Army Review 69: 27–32.
Thompson, R. (1966). Foreword to The Art of Counter Revolutionary Warfare by J. J. McCuen. London: Faber and Faber.
Tremayne, P. (1974). “Guevara through the looking glass. A view of the Dhofar War,” RUSI Journal of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies 119: 39–43.
Wolstenholme, E. F. and Coyle, R. G. (1983). “Systems dynamics as a rigorous approach to system description,” Journal of the Operational Research Society 34: 569–581.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coyle, R.G. A system description of counter insurgency warfare. Policy Sci 18, 55–78 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149751
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149751