At a time when conflicts are developing around the world and geopolitical tensions are rising amid a breakdown in dialogue and diplomacy, people can turn to the insights of Carl von Clausewitz to better understand the true nature and purpose of war.
What does Clausewitz’s quote mean?
Carl von Clausewitz’s most famous quote is: “War is merely the continuation of politics by other means.” The original German version from Vom Kriege roughly reads: “Der Krieg ist nichts anderes als die Fortsetzung der Politik mit anderen Mitteln”, which roughly translates to “War is merely the ‘continuation, and further means, of political continuation’ by other means.”
Carl von Clausewitz argues that war is not separate from politics, nor does it occur only when politics fail. Instead, war is one of several tools that a political community, typically a state or government, uses to achieve its political goals. “Other means” refers primarily to organized violence, such as armed force and battle, rather than peaceful political methods.
War is always subordinated to political goals. If these objectives change, so should the nature, scope, or even continuation of the war.
About Clausewitz
Carl von Clausewitz (full name: Carl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz) was a Prussian general, military theorist and one of the most influential thinkers on warfare in history. He was born on July 1, 1780, in Burg near Magdeburg, Prussia, to a family of humble origins that laid claim to aristocratic status.
He entered the Prussian army at the remarkably young age of 12 as a corporal (or standard bearer) and saw his first combat during the French Revolutionary Wars.
Clausewitz fought in the Napoleonic Wars, experiencing the devastating defeat of Prussia in 1806, after which he briefly served in the Russian army against Napoleon.
He later returned to Prussian service, rose to the rank of major general, and married Maria von Brühl in 1810 (she played a key role in editing and publishing his work after his death).
His most famous contribution is the book Vom Kriege (On War), published posthumously in 1832.
It remains an essential text in military strategy, political science, and international relations.
