The Art of Political Warfare (Hardcover)

by John J., Jr. Pitney (Author) "This book develops a simple idea: politics resembles warfare, so military literature can teach us something about political action..." (more)
Key Phrases: military analysis, market metaphor, opposition research, World War, Sun Tzu, White House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
"Politics," writes Pitney (professor of government McKenna College), "resembles warfare"Atherefore "military literature can teach us something about politics." Observing that politicians consciously embrace warlike language and strategies, and that warfare is often used as a metaphor to help explain political activity, and that Pitney, a former researcher for the Republican National Committee, offers a close analysis of this connection. Weaving together quotes from military strategists and political theorists (like Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Machiavelli) with commentary by recent and not-so-recent political figures (like Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight Eisenhower, Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton), Pitney offers insight and advice for campaigners and political junkies alike. More scholarly than practical, however, Pitney delves deepest into the military metaphor in American politics, dividing his discussion into military-themed sections such as strategy, "rallying the troops," and intelligence. He compares how each of his many terms is applied in both a military and a political context. His analysis includes often engaging anecdotes of political skirmishes and victories. For instance, he relates community organizer Saul Alinsky's triumph over the Chicago city government's recalcitrance about keeping a promise made to a ghetto organization: Alinsky threatened to organize an occupation of all the toilets at O'Hare airport, and the city capitulated. But along the way, Pitney overwhelms the reader with examples. His arguments are unlikely to change the nature of political science, or to encourage scholars to break away from more traditional economic models in their work; but it's entertaining to watch him try. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz stated that war was the continuation of politics by different means. Pitney (government, McKenna Coll.; Permanent Minority? Republicans in the U.S. House) opens this new work with a similar premise, stating that "politics resembles warfare, so military literature can teach us something about politics." Drawing from von Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight Eisenhower, and contemporary American military publications, the author applies military doctrines to contemporary politics. The book's ten chapters cover a range of topics, from strategy and leadership to morality, intelligence, and deception. Pitney draws clear examples for his arguments from the works and actions of such modern political players as Lee Atwater, James Carville, Newt Gingrich, and Bill Clinton. This concise and well-argued work takes an interesting approach to examining political activity and is recommended for larger public and academic libraries.DStephen L. Hupp, Urbana Univ., OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806132639
• ISBN-13: 978-0806132631
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,899,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The underside to politics, November 3, 2000

By A Customer

WOW!

This book not only shows you the relationship between politics and war but also uncovers the real reson why politicians do what they do. Pitney uses well known events as examples to support his writing. From Nixon to Clinton to Newt, Pitney discusses their triumphs and pitfalls, and what they did to achieve them.

The Art of Political Warefare is not just a guide to war and state and local politics but can be applied to corporate politics as well. I am requiring my staff to read it.

John, keep up the good work!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone interested in politics, December 11, 2000

By	Dan Seltzer (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

In light of the recent election and it's fallout, we've all become familiar with the use of military terminology in political commentary. In The Art of Political Warfare, Pitney shows how similar the philosophy and strategies are in these two seemingly seperate arenas. Perhaps Pitney's greatest achievement is writing a book that is clear and interesting enough for anyone to enjoy while also breaking new ground and writing on a level suitable for academics and political experts. Anyone who truly wants to understand American politics in the 21st century simply must read this outstanding work.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tool for politicians and counterterrorism warriors, June 15, 2004

By	J Michael Waller "www.iwp.edu" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Political Warfare (Paperback)

This unique book breaks a lot of new ground as a practical guide to modern political campaigning, but it has a greater hidden value: "The Art of Political Warfare" is a manual, of sorts, for those leading the global war against terrorists. Pitney takes the elements of military conflict - strategy, leadership, coordination, morale, deception, intelligence and the rest - and applies them to politics. A politician who follows this guide is likely never to lose a race.

More importantly, this book illuminates the battlespace for those involved in fighting terrorism around the world. It shows the warfighter how the strategic application of political warfare, as part of an overall military strategy, can often be far more effective than ordnance and bullets in achieving military objectives. The terrorist enemy already knows this lesson. It's time the civilized world learned it and practiced it. Pitney helps show the way.