War as Fighting

Abstract

Clausewitz’s first perspective is that of the soldier. At the centre of war is the clash of arms – soldiers killing and being killed, injuring and being injured. This is the unique and defining characteristic of war that makes it different from every other human activity. ‘What remains peculiar to war is simply the peculiar nature of its means’. [87] Any definition of war must recognise its true character, avoiding the pedantic or legalistic definitions advocated by some eighteenth century writers. Clausewitz goes ‘straight to the heart of the matter’: war is violence, ‘an act of force’. [75] Clausewitz adds ‘to compel our enemy to do our will’ but the question of purpose will be considered later. Quite simply, ‘war is fighting’. [127]

‘War is no pastime … no mere joy in daring and winning, no place for irresponsible enthusiasts’. [86]