This book examines the subject of strategy and its relationship with politics. Despite the fact that strategy is always the product of political process, the relationship between the two concepts and their ancillary activities has scarcely been touched by scholars. This book corrects that serious deficiency, and explains the high relevance of political factors for matters of general defence. Each chapter aims to show how and why strategy and politics interact and how this interaction has had significant consequences historically. Neither strategy nor politics can make sense if considered alone. Strategy requires direction that can only be provided by political process, while politics cannot be implemented without strategy. In summary, this volume will explain: what strategy is (and is not) why strategy is essential what strategy does and how it does it how strategy is made and executed Written by a leading scholar and former practitioner, this book will be essential reading for all students of military strategy, strategic studies, security studies and war and conflict studies.

Strategy and Politics: An Introduction to Game Theory is designed to introduce students with no background in formal theory to the application of game theory to modeling political processes. This accessible text covers the essential aspects of game theory while keeping the reader constantly in touch with why political science as a whole would benefit from considering this method. Examining the very phenomena that power political machineries—elections, legislative and committee processes, and international conflict, the book attempts to answer fundamental questions about their nature and function in a clear, accessible manner. Included at the end of each chapter is a set of exercises designed to allow students to practice the construction and analysis of political models. Although the text assumes only an elementary-level training in algebra, students who complete a course around this text will be equipped to read nearly all of the professional literature that makes use of game theoretic analysis.

Trubowitz pushes the understanding of grand strategy beyond traditional approaches that stress only international forces or domestic interests. He provides insights into how past leaders responded to cross-pressures between geopolitics and party politics, and how similar issues continue to bedevil American statecraft today. He suggests that the trade-offs shaping American leaders' foreign policy choices are not unique--analogous trade-offs confront Chinese and Russian leaders as well."--Pub. desc.

Why do some national leaders pursue ambitious grand strategies and adventuresome foreign policies while others do not? When do leaders boldly confront foreign threats and when are they less assertive? Politics and Strategy shows that grand strategies are Janus-faced: their formulation has as much to do with a leader's ability to govern at home as it does with maintaining the nation's security abroad. Drawing on the American political experience, Peter Trubowitz reveals how variations in domestic party politics and international power have led presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama to pursue strategies that differ widely in international ambition and cost. He considers why some presidents overreach in foreign affairs while others fail to do enough. Trubowitz pushes the understanding of grand strategy beyond traditional approaches that stress only international forces or domestic interests. He provides insights into how past leaders responded to cross-pressures between geopolitics and party politics, and how similar issues continue to bedevil American statecraft today. He suggests that the trade-offs shaping American leaders' foreign policy choices are not unique--analogous trade-offs confront Chinese and Russian leaders as well. Combining innovative theory and historical analysis, Politics and Strategy answers classic questions of statecraft and offers new ideas for thinking about grand strategies and the leaders who make them.

This book explores goal-oriented action and describes the variety of options offered by strategic management in guiding public organisations. The book is based on the idea that planning is only one option in orienting the functioning of public organisations and applies resource-based and network studies to the public sector. Whilst most of the existing literature on strategic management relates to local government, this book examines developments within central governments and public agencies external to government hierarchies. The book also addresses the strategic distinction between politics and administration often neglected by existing research, and illustrates the connection between goal setting and actual performance of government organisations.

Two books in one. This book contains the complete award-winning translation of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" plus its line-by-line adaptation, "The Art of Politics," applying Sun Tzu's proven principles to winning campaigns. The two versions, the original text and its application to politics, are shown side-by-side, line-by-line. The purpose of this book is to introduce those involved in political campaigns to the strategic principles of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" and their use in politics. In Sun Tzu's view, success goes not to the most aggressive but to those who best understand their situation and what their alternatives really are. When you have mastered Sun Tzu's system of strategy, you will be able to almost instantly analyze political situations, spot political opportunities, and make the appropriate decisions. This book addresses a range of challenges, including evaluating your supporters and voters, planning a campaign, adjusting to the local voters' specific needs, diagnosing a voter's behavior, and so on. Sample Text (Chapter One, Stanzas 1-2) "Sun Tzu said: This is war. It is the most important skill in the nation. It is the basis of life and death. It is the philosophy of survival or destruction. You must know it well." The campaigner hears: This is politics. It is the most valuable skill in any nation. It is the source of a nation's wealth or poverty. It is a course to success or disaster. You must study politics seriously. "Your skill comes from five factors. Study these factors when you plan war. You must insist on knowing your situation. 1. Discuss philosophy. 2. Discuss the climate. 3. Discuss the ground. 4. Discuss leadership. 5. Discuss military methods." Using five factors determines your political success. Consider all these factors when you analyze a given political race. You use them to know your political position: 1. Talk about your political philosophy. 2. Talk about the changing political trends. 3. Talk about the politics of the geographical area. 4. Talk about each politician's talents. 5. And talk about your campaign process. Table of Contents Art of War Art of Politics Foreword: Using Strategy in Politics 9 Introduction: Sun Tzu's Basic Concepts 17 1 Analysis 24 Your Political Position 26 2 Going to War 38 Picking a Campaign 40 3 Planning an Attack 50 Your Political Ground 52 4 Positioning 62 Positions on Issues 64 5 Momentum 74 Creative Campaigning 76 6 Weakness and Strength 86 Your Voters' Needs 88 7 Armed Conflict 102 Contacting Voters 104 8 Adaptability 116 Campaign Adjustments 118 9 Armed March 126 Moving the Campaign Forward 128 10 Field Position 146 Campaign Positions 148 11 Types of Terrain 164 Campaign Stages 166 12 Attacking with Fire 190 Firestorms of Controversy 192 13 Using Spies 202 Political Intelligence 204 Glossary of Terms in The Art of War 216 Index of Topics in The Art of War 220 About the Authors

An ideal supplement in any introductory course, American Politics: Strategy and Choice analyzes American politics through the lens of individuals making rational choices within a set of rules and institutions.