The Relevance and Origins of Ancient Strategy (cont.)
Sun Tzu
One of the most well-known examples of strategic theory, The Art of War, is popularly attributed to Sun Tzu a general who flourished in the 5th century during the Warring States period in China. His work was probably expanded by others in subsequent centuries however it has greatly influenced military, political and business thinking in Asia and the West.
Readers of this blog will note a considerable amount of time has been spent examining the work of Sun Tzu and other Chinese warrior philosophers who advised the leaders of the Warring States Period around 476 – 221 B.C.
Many classic Bing-Fa (Soldier-Law) texts were written during this period including the Tao Te Ching and the I-Ching (the Book of Changes).
Sun Tzu’s brilliance lay in his recognition of the fluid nature of reality and the fact that any practitioner of strategy must constantly adapt to that reality. His principles can be applied to the battlefield, public administration and planning and diplomacy and international negotiation.
Sun Tzu’s thinking lay in the realisation that all plans are temporary, and he knew that a plan can become obsolete as soon as its crafted. For him the decision to position one’s forces in competition depends on two major factors: (1) objective conditions in the physical environment and (2) the subjective belief of competitors in that environment.
Sun Tzu originated a view that’s shared by elite strategic theorists today: that the most brilliant plans are those that spring into being in the dynamic of action and response. Sun Tzu believed that strategy requires rapid responses to changing conditions based on sound judgement and principles.
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