HIST 160
Week 5 Reflection Paper
This week we discussed Sun Zi and some comparisons to Clausewitz. I will highlight some of the
most important points I learned this week.
One fundamental distinction between Clausewitz and Sun Tzu is that Clausewitz was learning at
a time when the resources and technology available were unprecedent, he was learning at a time
middle of German revolution where there are new sorts of weapons, while Sun Tzu was living far
earlier than this.
Another distinction between the two strategists is the use of force. Clausewitz mentions force often
in his book, while Sun Zi uses it rarely and treats it in a different view. According to Sun Zi, force
is highly unreliable, and one must be very cautious when using it as it is very tricky. Instead,
psychological mechanisms should be used. In ‘The Art of War’ one of the key sentences and most
important ideas that Sun Zi presents, is deception. If one can get their opponent to deceive
themselves, then they are in advantage.
He states, “All warfare is based on deception. Hence when able to attack we must seem unable.
When using our forces, we must seem inactive. When we are near, we make the enemy believe we
are far away. When far away we must make the enemy believe we are near.”
While I was reading ‘The Art of War’, one thing that stood out to me was the rational approach to
war strategy. Sun Zi discusses the continuous correlation of means and ends and gives the idea
that rational choices will bring success for certain, while Clausewitz remains a bit less optimistic
of this idea. This is reflected in one the quotes in the book: “Now the elements of the art of war
are first, measurement of space, second, estimation of quantities: third, calculations: fourth,
comparisons; and fifth, chances of victory. Quantities derive from measurement, figures from
quantities, comparisons from figures, and victory from comparisons.” (pg. 88)
Sun Zi also emphasizes this idea of rational choices even in the part of military leadership, and it
seems like he supports calculated risks.