Can the strategies/tactics described in The Art of War still be applied to todays combat?
>>1300034
Yes. Burn everything.
Some of them yes, some of them no.
>>1300034
Most of it can really be applied to any struggle one has in life.
>>1300034
Yes, but only for certain situations.
The Sūnzǐ was always only one book out of many about military strategy. It is literally only the west that masturbates to it and treats it as the sole book on military strategy, because the west somehow thinks it's the only Chinese military classic and literally does not know about any of the other ones.
>>1300104
It has a cool name.
> know yourself
> know your enemy
> know the terrain
> take the high ground
> keep initiative
> use spies
every army do this
>>1300110
That is meme knowledge, the meat and potatoes of that book is where it explores the relationship between war and politics. Western military strategy is very focused on winning individual battles while Asian strategy cares more about the bigger picture and how to make wins mean something long term
>>1300034
Yes. Also, to anyone who hasn't: Read the book. It's very good and not too long.
>>1300128
The text of just the translation and no commentary is available free online. It's one or the first results on google
>>1300034
Setting people on fire is still a viable military tactic, yes.
>>1300121
>cares more about the bigger picture and how to make wins mean something long term
Aka what the Romans did
>>1300341
Yet western military culture looks up to fools like Hannibal who would be considered a sad joke in the east
>>1300341
>who is clausewitz
>>1300386
he would probably be considered a tragic hero in the east
>>1300034
in general? yes.
but don't deploy lacquered chariots against tanks OP
It is a great read. I have applied the strategies throughout my life to help with everyday struggles.
You guys should also read " Art of the Deal."
>>1300705
Some faggot 2000 years later than Sunzi.
>>1300713
Maybe in Japan. The Hannibal of China is Xiang Yu and he is in no way considered a tragic hero. Not surprisingly he is admired in the West though.
>>1301537
Sun Tzu was shit compared to clausewitz, faggot.
>>1302662
>war is nothing but an outgrowth of politics
>disregards the effect culture, society and religion and thier influence and war and warriors
Fuck off. Clausewitz a shit.
>>1302934
>disregards the effect culture, society and religion and thier influence and war and warriors
All these things influence politics, even a dictator with absolute power needs the approval of wealthy nobles, his military administration and the people
>focus on winning individual battles
>win them
>get Unequal treaties
>focus on "the bigger picture"
>lose, country disintegrates into warring states, import foreing ideology, massacre owns population
oh well....
>>1302976
>become the world leader in manufacturing
>watch former colonial powers stagnate economically and flooded by third world refugees
>>1300065
Opposite, most of them yes. Some specifics of them, no.
The general rule of art of war is applicable to just about everything due to it being an introspective analysis of relationship between two powers.
>>1300034
The undisputed message of this book is to avoid war. The "art" in war you see, is NOT making it.
>>1300104
>pinyin
>>1300104
what are the other ones then
>>1300705
>bro, just attack with everything you have, you'll win for sure, just trust me bro
>>1300034
Yes, it is still recommended reading at westpoint and a good introduction for someone who wants to learn how to size up a situation and think about it strategically.
HOWEVER
The vast bulk of developing competence at anything, whether becoming an officer in the army or starting a business, comes from gaining experience, practical skills and self-discipline. There is no use "making yourself look strong when you are weak" to make the enemy hesitate if you are still too weak when they finally get around to attacking. Sun Tzu's Art of War won't turn you into a master manipulator overnight.
>>1303251
China was weak as shit, but it deterred the US enough to give up on North Korea. They had handful of nukes with unproven or unreliable delivery system, yet the US military and the congress grew scared.
>“I’m not afraid of nuclear war. There are 2.7 billion people in the world; it doesn’t matter if some are killed. China has a population of 600 million; even if half of them are killed, there are still 300 million people left. I’m not afraid of anyone."
US backing out only confirmed Mao's word about how US was simply a paper tiger.
China has now grown strong enough, their neighbor have gotten weak. This is shown by them intimidating their neighbors. Though they have become strong enough to take the fight against US in their region, they have tried appearing weak. "We've never expanded" rhetoric.
>>1300034
It is inferior to the 33 Strategies of War tho.
>>1303277
>China was weak as shit, but it deterred the US enough to give up on North Korea. They had handful of nukes with unproven or unreliable delivery system, yet the US military and the congress grew scared.
What the fuck are you referring to?
>>1300034
Most of it is common sense.
>>1303729
Korean war?
>>1303795
>They had handful of nukes with unproven or unreliable delivery system, yet the US military and the congress grew scared.
Obviously not.
>>1303799
So no nuke and US still got scared. LMAO
>>1303814
>So no nuke and US still got scared
Of war with the USSR, yes.
Do you know anything about IR in the Cold War?
>>1300121
>implying Clauswitz is not masterbated furiously by Western armies and war colleges
>implying Clauswitz doesn't speak, if not more so than Tzu, in matters of policy and war applicable to modern nation States.
Has anybody else here read "On War?"
>inb4 Joplin
>>1303821
5 nukes with unreliable delivery system and US got scared.
Jesus Christ, this keeps getting worse. How is this possible.
>>1303932
>muh nukes
Stop while you're behind, shitposter.
>>1303917
On War was breddy gud desu senpai
>>1303025
>proud of being a manufacturing world leader
Service and information based economies always enjoy a higher standard of living than manufacturing countries.
>>1304219
Service and information supports industrial activity, a country that thinks it can support itself on services alone is going to experience a economic downward spiral like we see in many European countries
Also nations with the highest HDI are commodities export nations with small, manageable populations
>>1303174
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_classics#Military_Science
