Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Contribution of Clausewitz to the Development of Military Strategy Essay
Carl von Clausewitz or known as General Carl Phillip Gottfried von Clausewitz was born in Magdenburg in July 1, 1780 and died of cholera at the age of 51 in Breslau, Germany in November 16, 1831. He left a legacy that until this day his writings are still compulsory for reading in military academies both in the US and Europe. He famous book â€Å"Von Kriege†or translated in English as â€Å"On War†discusses many of his optimisms in considering war as an extension of political thoughts rather than pure readings for military strategies. Analysts say Clausewitz’s theories of war were considerations during war and not provocations on how to stage war against the enemies. In fact, he is not the total war strategist of the â€Å"absolute war†as other people branded him but even though his thoughts does not provoke the art of making war our armed forces until today consider them as great contributions to the development of military strategies because of his concepts in advising technical discussion in the event of war. Although Clausewitz wrote about different battle conditions, he goes further in relating battles to psychological and political considerations. He became popular in connecting his principles of war to be regarded as motivation for military strategies because his theories inspire military leaders to act on certain situations according to the demand of the situation. Therefore his theories must never be applied as models of committing war but to serve as aids to judgment during wars. However, through the passing of time most of his tactical views were altered or replaced by other political and strategic thoughts but what he left about military systems and political strategies are regarded as pure standard for military strategic commitments (Teijebakker, 2008). Clausewitz served as a Prussian soldier, military historian and military theorist whose influence was most famous for military treatise. Although participated in military campaigns, his sole purpose was to be a military theorist and do examinations of war. During his time, other soldiers also examined the war during the Napoleonic era but not any of them has undertook the greatest philosophical examination of war other than Clausewitz and Tolstoy did. Another great writer, Jomini also took the same observation as Clausewitz but while Jomini based his theories on the system of war, Clausewitz writes on the philosophical view of it. If we are going to asses Clausewitz’s philosophical view that militaries based the development of their strategies, we can see that Clausewitz has been able to introduced systematic philosophical inspection into Western and European military thinking. His strategic principles have powerful implications that are used for historical and analytical writing but also for logical policy, military education and planning on operations. Clausewitz believes that war is just a natural event that is part of social organisms such as man and always part of practical experience. He underlined that warfare is just as changeable as our societies that is why there is the need for the distinction in manipulating strategies and tactics. He also asserted that there are no fixed principles that are adapted for tactical calculations and no laws for strategies either because wars are not all the same. This kind of philosophy motivates military leaders to assume that because of the changeable attitude and conditions of war, Clausewitz provokes on the idea that defense is a stronger form of strategic principle than offense. This is because as Clausewitz warned, once offensive advantage has an imbalance of momentum such as a weakened or divided forces, the offensive stance can transform into a defensive orientation. So the general principle, as he stresses, is that defense is a prerequisite for good offense (Abegglen, 2003). Moreover, Clausewitz great emphasis on military strategies is that he wants to emphasize that wars are the continuation of government policies or in other words an extension of politics. There is warfare because war is motivated by political objectives and the only means to achieve these political objectives is the commitment of war. Therefore he argues that what determines the character and activities of military operations are what the military leaders do in following the authority given to them by the state driven by political aims. In this manner, since the military are under the ruling governing body of the state, the states which compose of the public sector can also exercise their authority over military activities. But what was the most important message Clausewitz wants to convey is that although war is not extraordinary, the waging of war must be dependent on the political situation of those who wages it and with their allies and enemies. The strength of the military is not an assurance for victory but a defensive war seems to be the contributory factor in achieving victory. The machines that man made for human destruction and the skill those soldiers learned were all part of human endeavor to achieve victory. But these machines are useless unless use in the battlefield and maneuvered with precise realistic approach to warfare which include the art of defense and offense and military skills (Jolley, 2003). As a Prussian staff officer with political and military responsibility and with combat experience against armies of Revolutionary France, Clausewitz is prominently a military educator. Having to rise to the rank of a Major-General at the age of 38, his book On War which was written in Germanic language became the most important work that is written that deals on the theory of warfare and strategy. The book tells of theories on the area of interest of military strategists, historians, political thinkers and political scientists. Clausewitz has met so many oppositions with his theories contain in his books but his influence is so great that even the Marxists-Leninists, the great navalists Sir Julian Stafford Corbett and the American nuclear strategists apply his principles to their own theoretical application. Although they have different culture, background and military orientation they all share the same belief that Clausewitz’s writings are of fundamental importance not because only of their content but because of the influential his great mind has perceived. The book On War itself is always very hard to read and comprehend because it was still in its unfinished state and so the subjects seem too hard to follow. So many nations and great minds have failed to master it because of its unfamiliar style. But because Clausewitz’s statements define great political thinking, precise military planning with principles of strategic calculations that are used by organizations in developing different strategies, Clausewitz’s ideas evoke superiority in leadership and management in war and of societies. His continuation of defining policy with politics by other means happens to be misunderstood because probably his perception provokes alarm and opposition. According to him he objects on the role of policy makers because these so-called policy makers always tend to create war just to achieve their goals when they cannot achieve it through peaceful means. On the other hand, experienced politicians and soldiers are against it because they know that war becomes really dangerous, chaotic and unpredictable when it is created for political goals. Another great significance of Clausewitz’s theory to the advantage on the development of military strategy is that his ideas integrates a vast range of military concerns which include political, strategic, operational, analytical, tactical, pedagogical and historical concern that are in relation with the fundamental socio-political framework of the military. The good things about his theories is that they also successfully interrelates to a wide range of consideration and can adapt to any political and historical changes that is why until today, Clausewitz’s concept of strategies on war and politics are still being utilized as fundamental in military statesmanship (Bassford, 1996). But what are the main teachings of Clausewitz that they are still utilized in the management of military strategies today? In teaching Clausewitz’s concept of strategies, military officials try to imbue to their soldiers how to analyze Clausewitz’s theory of war so that they can check on its applicability on the military power on any given time. The soldiers must be able to assess the learning concepts with thorough examination such as learning the nature of warfare as compared during the French revolution against today’s practical application of military concept. As Clausewitz advised, mission analysis is essential to provide the learners or soldiers the sophisticated understanding of war, the nature of war, the purpose of war and the conduct of war. Assessing these activities help the soldiers develop in internalizing their way of thinking so that they may be critical in all areas of war and discover the characteristic of the opponent. Understanding the adversary makes the soldiers be critical on what analytical approach they can do to gain advantage during war. Then the essential points of engagement and following policies must be conveyed to the soldiers. These essential points include how to interact with war and its policy, understanding absolute war vs. the real war, perception on the moral and physical dimensions of war, strategic effects for the future leaders of war, understanding the sources of power and the dialectics of offense and defense. By assessing the principles of Clausewitz, we can now measure success according to the management of war (Bassford, 1985). As a conclusion, as Clausewitz always say that as wars are conceived, the generals of war must have clear idea on what are the goal of this wars. The militaries are learning from Clausewitz’s admonition that no one starts a war or rather nobody in his right mind ought to start a war without prioritizing what the objectives are. The objectives of war can be of political purpose which the military must be aware while the conduct of war is the operational part wherein the military must operate accordingly. This governing principle of Clausewitz will set every war on its course and thus contributory to the development of military strategy. References: ABEGGLEN, C. M. V. (2003) The Influence of Clausewitz on Jomini’s Prà ©cis de l’Art de la Guerre Erlenstrasse 3 4414 Fà ¼llinsdorf, King’s College London. Available from URL: http://www.homepage.bluewin.ch/abegglen/papers/clausewitz_influence_on_jomini.pdf BASSFORD, C. (1985) An Instructor’s Guide To Teaching Clausewitz. Available from URL: http://www.clausewitz.com/CWZHOME/KassNWC/KassNotes3.html BASSFORD, C. (1996) Review Essay: Carl von Clausewitz, On War (Berlin, 1832). Available from URL: http://www.clausewitz.com/CWZHOME/CREV/CWZREV.htm
Post Partum Depression Essay
ABSTRACT                Every woman who becomes a mother has their own reasons of being happy after giving birth to a child. The first days of a child in their arms seems to be the greatest gift that they have ever received in their entire lives. However, things at times turn out uneasily different as the view of the mother to her new born child and at times even towards her husband changes. At some point, she treats the people visiting her in a wrong manner. Being overly anxious about things and extremely depressed in either the morning or the evening becomes her usual reaction to the things happening around her. Is she going crazy? No, she is simply experiencing Post Partum Depression. It is a matter of situation by which a new mother’s hormones are unstable that her emotions are controlled by the changes that her body undergoes after giving birth to her child. This is the main issue that shall be tackled within the paper that follows.                How does one understand what Post Partum Depression really is? How is it supposed to be dealt with by the mother and by other people living around her? Is it a serious problem that needs medical treatment? How will the family members know when to ask for professional help? TO the women experiencing this particular matter of situation, how would they be able to overcome it? These are only among the few questions that shall be addressed in the paper that shall be presented herein. Through the discussions that shall be noted in this paper, the importance of addressing the matter shall be noted clearly as to how the procedures of dealing with the issue could be practically applied in actual situations. POST PARTUM DEPRESSION: Dealing With the Ups and Downs of New Motherhood Introduction            The wonder of giving birth is something that is considered as a given gift solely to the feminine gender of the human population. However, the after effects of this particular wonder also belong solely to the women. What is it that makes giving birth a highly depressive matter for some women? This is where the issue of Post Partum Depression comes into light. Undeniably, the process of dealing with this issue is something that needs careful attention not only be the women involved in the situation but also by the people living around them. The term â€Å"postpartum depression†refers to depressive episodes following childbirth. These can occur after the birth of any child, not just the first. Depressive episodes can even follow a miscarriage or termination of a pregnancy. According to the Office on Women’s Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there is a wide range in the severity of the symptoms. Many women experience postpartum blues, or baby blues, characterized by mild sadness, anxiety, irritability, fluctuating moods, and fatigue. These blues are considered normal and are short-lived, resolving themselves without medical help within about ten days after childbirth. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that in 1 out of 10 new mothers, these feelings escalate and go beyond the first few days. They can even appear several months after the birth. This may be full-fledged postpartum depression, in which the feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair are so intense that the new mother has trouble coping with her daily tasks. Additionally, between 1 and 3 new mothers in every 1,000 suffer from an even more severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis, in which the mother has delusions or hallucinations that often focus on hurting herself or her baby. This latter condition requires immediate medical attention. There is no single clearly defined cause of postpartum depression. Both physical and emotional factors seem to be involved. One physical factor may be that in the first 24 to 48 hours after delivery, estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply, to a point lower than before conception, creating an abrupt change in the physiological state of the body. This may trigger depression in much the same way as mood swings and tension are triggered before menstrual periods. The level of hormones produced by the thyroid may also drop after childbirth. This could result in symptoms that mimic depression. For these reasons researchers are calling PPD a â€Å"biochemical and hormonal disorder.†Interestingly, one medical newsletter suggests that postpartum depression may be caused by a nutritional imbalance, perhaps a B-complex deficiency. Fatigue and lack of sleep can also play a role. Says Dr. Steven I. Altchuler, a psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, U.S.A.: â€Å"In the period shortly after childbirth, lack of energy and an inability to sleep may make minor problems seem much more major. Some women might be frustrated to find that they have difficulty coping with things that they had handled well before delivery, without the baby blues, and with a full night’s sleep.†Emotional factors such as an unplanned pregnancy, a premature birth, loss of freedom, concern about attractiveness and lack of support can also add to depression. Additionally, there are several common myths about being a mother that can contribute to a woman’s feeling depressed and feeling that she is a failure. These include the idea that motherhood skills are instinctive, that bonding should be immediate, that the baby will be perfect and never fussy, and that the new mother should be perfect. In real life this is not the case. Mothering skills need to be learned, bonding often takes time, some babies are easier to care for than others, and no mother is perfect or a super mom. Obviously from this particular overview of the situation, post partum depression stands as a common thing that is experienced by women who have given birth to young infants. As common as it is, the situation is indeed something that could be dealt with conscientiously. Through the process of understanding the situation towards the process of making amends with the person dealing with the dilemma, the problem with Post Partum Depression could be won. Methodology and Result Presentation            To understand how women affected by Post partum Depression react towards the problem, the researcher of this paper decided to interview at least 20 women who have just given birth with at least three days from the actual delivery of their babies. This interview-survey has been delivered by the researcher to finally give a lighter view of the dilemma that women deal with after giving birth to their infants.            The interviewees consisted of both first time mothers and experienced mothers alike so as to set the matter of differences and similarities between the cases that needs concern in the issue of dealing with PPD [Post Partum Depression]. Until recently, postpartum depression was often not taken seriously. Dr. Laurence Kruckman points out: â€Å"Women’s mental health issues have been overlooked and labeled in the past as hysteria, not worthy of concern. The American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual (DSM IV) has never fully acknowledged the presence of postpartum illness, and as a result, doctors have not been educated about it nor has reliable data been obtained. . . . And unlike 30 years ago, mothers often go home from the hospital within 24 hours. Most postpartum psychoses, blues and some depression occur within three to 14 days following birth. So the mothers are already at home and not screened by professionals who know the symptoms.†However, according to Dr. Carol E. Watkins of the Northern County Psychiatric Associates in Baltimore, Maryland, if left undiagnosed or untreated, postpartum depression can lead to long-term depression and difficulty in bonding with the baby. Depressed mothers may passively ignore their baby’s needs or, conversely, lose control and use physical punishment to discipline their infants. This can negatively affect the cognitive and emotional development of the child. For example, an article in the journal American Family Physician suggests that young children of depressed mothers perform more poorly on cognitive tests than those of mothers who were not depressed. Additionally, postpartum depression can adversely affect the other children and the husband.            Furthermore the results of the interview-survey used in this research yielded the following diagrammatic presentations. To understand the issue clearly, the illustrations are to be presented as follows: The Elements of POST PARTUM DEPRESSION: DIAGRAM 1:            Explanation: From the diagram noted herein, it is noticeable enough that the women involved with Post Partum Depression deal with different anxieties causing the situation to worsen. Being overly anxious about not being cared about and being less treated well by the other members of the family because of the arrival of the new infant is indeed a matter of elemental factor that brings a greater pressure on the mother experiencing PDD.            This is the major reason why dealing with the issue involves not only the woman or her husband alone but also the other members of the family as well. The following points are considered to be among the most effective procedures of dealing with the dilemma according to the studies that had been made under the topic of Post Partum Depression. The said points of consideration are as follows: Talk to someone about your feelings, particularly other mothers. Ask others to help you with child care, household chores, and errands. Ask your husband to share in nighttime feeding duties and household chores. Find time to do something positive for yourself, even if it is for only 15 minutes a day. Try reading, taking a walk, taking a relaxing bath. Even if you can get only one thing done in any given day, this is a step in the right direction. There may be days when you cannot get anything done. Try not to be angry with yourself when this happens.  Isolation often perpetuates depression. Get dressed, and leave the house for at least a short while each day. Fresh air and a change of scenery will do you and your baby a lot of good. These particular patterns of dealing with the situation needs to be carefully understood by the person themselves. This means that the adjustment must come from the mother herself. What can be done? Do you just have to tough it out? It is comforting to know that postpartum depression has been found to be both temporary and treatable. While rest and family support may be all that is needed for mild symptoms, the key sign that medical attention is necessary is if the depression disrupts your ability to function, says the Office on Women’s Health. Common treatments are antidepressant medication, talking with a mental-health expert, hormone treatment, or a combination of these, depending upon the severity of the case. Kangaroo, or skin-to-skin, care of the baby may also lessen maternal depression. There are also such alternative treatments as herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathic remedies. However, there are some things that you can do personally to cope. These include eating a nutritious diet (including fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals); avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and sugar; exercising in moderation; and taking a nap when your baby is asleep. Since a major factor in postpartum depression is lack of proper rest, other people can help by assuming some of the household chores and sharing in child care. Studies show that far less postpartum depression occurs where the extended family rallies around to provide support and instruction. Many times a person can be of great assistance by just being a sympathetic listener, giving the new mother reassurance, and avoiding criticizing or judging. Remember, PPD is a physical disorder and is not self-induced. As the organization Postpartum Education for Parents points out, â€Å"a woman cannot ‘pull herself together’ any more than she could if she had the flu, diabetes, or heart disease.†From the foregoing, it can be seen that although the postpartum period can be a wonderful time for new mothers, it can also be stressful. Understanding it can help us to give the support new mothers need. The Use of Hoe Massage Therapy            Every massage therapy is supposed to make close amends with the situation of the persons being affected by post partum depression. A touch therapy such as that of massage could play a great help for those suffering from the dilemma. Undoubtedly, the Hoe massage therapy which is a Japanese originated massage procedure is sure to make a sufferer of post partum depression feel relaxed as it rejuvenates the being of a person through natural scents and aroma therapy altogether. The holistic process of massaging the body would make the patient feel relived and rejuvenated to face another day of turmoil.            In short, the hoe massage is an undoubted process that is now being applied to most patients undergoing the effects of Post Partum Depression. Such patients who have experienced this massage have given considerable reactions that they were certainly given the best approach of healing that they could ever imagine through the Hoe Massage Therapy applied on them for several weeks and even months. They even said that when they feel stressful, even when the postpartum dilemma is over, they resort to how massage therapy just the same to calm things down and bring their spirit to a renewed state. Conclusion            Understanding Post Partum Depression is a vital part in dealing with the dilemma that new mothers mostly deal with. The after birth depression among new mothers, both first time and non-first-timers have naturally brought problems to new families. Not understanding the situation underlying this particular matter would make things certainly confusing as the mother would naturally require the same level of attention that is further given by the father or other members of the family to the newly born infant. Scheduling activities and providing further assistance with that of the relaxing time of the mother should be given close attention by the family members.            Understandably, Post Partum Depression is a matter of situation that could be dealt with through the application of full control of the situation with ample patience and understanding from the people involved. Constant understanding of the situation with the application of the necessary measures needed to treat the dilemma should be well viewed so as to bring fine results to the mother of the child and the other family members as well. Through this, the development of the dilemma could be expected to yield fine results on the part of the woman or the mother overcoming the dilemma brought about bu Post Partum Depression. References: Appleby, Louis, Rachel Warner, Brian Faragher, and Anna Whitton. A Controlled Study of Fluoxetine and Cognitive-Behavioural Counseling in the Treatment of Postnatal Depression. British Medical Journal. 314.n7085. 932-937  Appleby, Louis, Rachel Warner, Brian Faragher, and Anna Whitton. A Controlled Study of Fluoxetine and Cognitive-Behavioural Counseling in the Treatment of Postnatal Depression. British Medical Journal. 314.n7085. 932-937 Appleby, Louis, Rachel Warner, Brian Faragher, and Anna Whitton. A Controlled Study of Fluoxetine and Cognitive-Behavioural Counseling in the Treatment of Postnatal Depression. British Medical Journal. 314.n7085. 932-937 Fray, Kathy: â€Å"Oh Baby†¦Birth, Babies & Motherhood Uncensored†, pages 364-381, Random House NZ, 2005
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