War and Text: Theorists of War and Strategy since Sun Tzu

This seminar explores some of the major themes in strategy, the conduct of operations, but also the nature of war, and philosophical reflections on the subject. Through the medium of theoretical texts, differences between national martial cultures will be examined. The issue of who influenced who will be considered, which texts were innovative, as well as the often subtle and complex processes of the dissemination of ideas. We begin with the ancient Chinese military texts, consider the emergence of writings on war in early modern Europe, but focus on the classics from the eighteenth century until the end of the Cold War. An emphasis will be placed on engaging with the original texts rather than what others have written about them. The majority are now available online. The seminar aims to show why certain theoretical bodies of work became influential and which writers and texts continue to be studied.