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Military Power: Explaining Victory and Defeat in Modern Battle

Military Power: Explaining Victory and Defeat in Modern Battle

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In war, do mass and materiel matter most? Will states with the largest, best equipped, information-technology-rich militaries invariably win? The prevailing answer today among both scholars and policymakers is yes. But this is to overlook force employment, or the doctrine and tactics by which materiel is actually used. In a landmark reconception of battle and war, this book provides a systematic account of how force employment interacts with materiel to produce real combat outcomes. Stephen Biddle argues that force employment is central to modern war, becoming increasingly important since 1900 as the key to surviving ever more lethal weaponry. Technological change produces opposite effects depending on how forces are employed; to focus only on materiel is thus to risk major error—with serious consequences for both policy and scholarship. In clear, fluent prose, Biddle provides a systematic account of force employment's role and shows how this account holds up under rigorous, multimethod testing. The results challenge a wide variety of standard views, from current expectations for a revolution in military affairs to mainstream scholarship in international relations and orthodox interpretations of modern military history. Military Power will have a resounding impact on both scholarship in the field and on policy debates over the future of warfare, the size of the military, and the makeup of the defense budget.

Details of Book

ISBN13: 9780691128023
ISBN10: 0691128022
Language: English
Publication Year: 2006
Format: Paperback

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A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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  • One Line Summary

    Explores the critical role of tactics over technology in modern warfare.

  • Who is this book for?

    If you're curious about what really determines victory in modern battles, this book sheds light on the often overlooked importance of how forces are actually employed on the battlefield. Biddle challenges the common belief that size and weapons alone decide outcomes, revealing how tactics and doctrine are key. It's a compelling read for anyone interested in the nuanced dynamics of military effectiveness and war strategy.

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