Critical Analysis and Reader's Reflection on The Art of War

Military Tactics and Strategies

I. Introduction

“All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved” (Sun Tzu on The Art of War). Military strategies and tactics are essential to the operation of war. Strategy is the skillful planning and coordination of using battles to win war; tactics are the use of using troops to win war. The principles of war are rules and guidelines that provide guidance for conducting war. It incorporates the different aspects of warfare and how it is relevant to military strategies and tactics. Sun Tzu, a Chinese militarist, outlined the earliest known principles of war in his book titled “The Art of War.” The principles in this book have an influence on various aspects of our lives including Eastern and Western thinking and business. Zhuge Laing, known as “The Famous Dragon,” was a famous military strategist in Ancient China; he acts on the principles of war to win battles during the Three Kingdoms Period. Martin Luther King Jr., a voice in the civil rights movement, and other black leaders use military strategies and tactics to guide them in achieving equal rights for African Americans in America. Business owners also incorporate military strategies and tactics in leading their businesses. We can apply the principles of war into our lives by using them as a guide to help us win battles, resolve issues present in society, maintain excellence in business, and triumph over difficulties in life.

II. Winning Battles

To being with, the principles of war can be at use in our lives to help us win battles. We can use these principles to guide us to victory when we find ourselves in an inferior position in war. The “Empty Fort Strategy” is a mental trap that incorporates reverse psychology (and luck) to trick your enemy into thinking that there is a trap. When your enemy outnumbers you, and you expect an upcoming invasion, you will drop everything and act casually. The enemy will arose suspicion and be discouraged to attack. Zhuge Liang uses the “Empty Fort Strategy” to make his enemy, Sima Yi, and his troops retreat. Laing was in the Xicheng city in Belgium, China with only 2,500 troops facing Yi who was approaching with an army of 150,000 men. Liang could not fight or flee and found himself in a precautious position. Laing orders the removal of all of the banners in the city and has them concealed; he also commands the soldiers to not make any moves or noises or they will be killed. When Yi’s army arrives, he opens the front doors and has civilians and old men sweep the roads and act casually. This makes it possible for the city to give the impression of not being prepared for battle. When Sima Yi arrives and sees what was going on. He claims that “Zhuge Liang has prepared an ambush in the city” (“Strategy 32 of 36: Empty Fort Strategy - Zhuge Liang.” 00:1:55-00:1:58). By using the principles of war to play on Yi’s perception of him as calming, Ling was able to trick him into thinking that there was an ambush ahead and finally retreating; Liang no longer would need to fight Yi’s massive army, and prevents a major loss in battle. Using the principles of war can help us become victorious in battle when we find ourselves at a disadvantage.

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III. Resolving Issues in Society

Secondly, incorporating the principles of war can help resolve issues in society. We can use these principles to guide us in enforcing our plans. One of the principles of war emphasizes the use of discipline. Discipline is a mental practice that encompasses acting in close coordination to achieve maximal results. Successful leaders apply discipline into their efforts to enforce what needs to be done. Martin Luther King Jr. encourages the use of nonviolence in his efforts to end racial discrimination. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. states that “We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence” (“’I Have a Dream’, Address Delivered at the March on Washington’’). Martin Luther King Jr. uses the principles of war to discipline those participating in the civil rights movement to maintain a nonviolent regime. By deterring the amount of chaos in their protests, King has been able to effectively achieve a peaceful and nonviolent protest. Martin Luther King Jr. and those who enforce his plan promote a nonviolent regime and are not doing anything that will tarnish their cause through the use of discipline; a military tactic. The principles of war can encourage us to resolve issues existing in society effectively.

Following, the principles of war can be at use in suppressing the power of your enemy. We can apply them in society to limit the power of the oppressor. The principles of war draw attention to weak points and strong. Sun Tzu says: 'You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if you make for the enemy’s weak points” (Sun Tzu on The Art of War). To resolve an issue an enemy inflicts, you can limit the source of its power. Black leaders in the Montgomery Bus Boycott were able to incorporate this strategy. According to the History.com Editors, “Black leaders organized carpools, and the city’s African-American taxi drivers charged only 10 cents—the same price as bus fare—for African-American riders” (History.com Editors “Montgomery Bus Boycott”). Through the use of military strategies, black leaders were able to limit the influence of racial segregation on public buses. The principles of war can be effective in resolving issues in society.

IV. Maintain Excellence in Business

Next, to maintain excellence in business we can use the principles of war. Business is like war. Business owners use operations similar to the operatives of military leaders. Sun Tzu quotes that “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles” (Sun Tzu on the Art of War). You cannot expect to conquer something without knowing what you and your enemy are both capable of doing. If your opponent is successful in a specific area, knowing what they are doing will put you in the position of understanding what you can do for yourself to reach their level of success or even higher. The feud between Burger King and McDonald’s over which restaurant has better food illustrates the effectiveness of this principle. Christina Majaski quotes that “When McDonald’s brought back the McRib sandwich, Burger King responded by unveiling a $1 BK BBQ Rib as a cheaper alternative” (Majaski, Christina. “McDonald's vs. Burger King: What's the Difference?”). Both Burger King and McDonald’s sell burgers in their restaurants. Their goal is to gain more customers than the other. To attract more customers, McDonald’s has brought back one of their famous burgers. It’s competitor Burger King seen this as a threat to their business so they formulated a plan to outdo their success. The principle of war highlights the need to know your opponent. By understanding how McDonald’s became profitable, Burger King was able to reinforce its technique for their gain. We can implement the principles of war in jobs to maintain excellence in business competition.

V. Difficulties in Life

Lastly, the principle of war can subdue the difficulties in life. It can serve as a guide as to how we can minimize our problems. One of the principles of war is simplicity. Simplicity is used in warfare to ensure understanding. According to Wes Sade, “Simple plans, and clear concise orders minimize misunderstanding and confusion” (Saade, Wes. “The US Army's Nine Principles of War”). Making a simple plan for how to deal with your problems will allow you to better overcome them by eliminating confusion. Too many expectations and rules will overwhelm you. A simple plan will help focus you on handling the difficulties you face.

VI. Conclusion

To conclude, using the principles of war can help us in winning battles, resolving issues in society, maintaining excellence in business, and fixing the difficulties we face in life. With the use of the principles of war, Zhuge Liang was able to gain victory in battle, black leaders were able to efficiently enforce their plans during the civil rights movement, business owners are able to compete against other business companies, and we can better solve difficult problems we face in life. The principles of war have a great influence on European and Western thinking as well as in business; shaping how we deal with various aspects of our lives. Military strategies and tactics have great use in our lives; we can apply them in war, jobs, and society. Facing difficulties is all about perception; Knowing what we are facing and how to encounter it will allow us to be more successful in conquering it.

Works Cited

1. Giles, Lionel, translator. Sun Tzu on the Art of War. Allandale Online Publishing, 2000, https://sites.ualberta.ca/~enoch/Readings/The_Art_Of_War.pdf.
2. History.com Editors. “Montgomery Bus Boycott.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 3 Feb. 2010, www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott.
3. The Internet Classics Archive | The Art of War by Sun Tzu, http://www.clausewitz.com/mobile/principlesofwar.htm.
4. Majaski, Christina. “McDonald's vs. Burger King: What's the Difference?” Investopedia, Investopedia, 4 Dec. 2019, www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/111015/mcdonalds-vs-burger-king-comparing-business-models.asp.
5. “PRINCIPLES of WAR.” Clausewitz, www.clausewitz.com/mobile/principlesofwar.htm.
6. Saade, Wes. “The US Army's Nine Principles of War.” Wes MD, 1 June 2015, http://wesmd.com/lead-like-a-general-the-us-armys-nine-principles-of-war/.
7. “Strategy 32 of 36: Empty Fort Strategy - Zhuge Liang.” YouTube, https://youtu.be/tSIQvswk4sU.
8. “‘I Have a Dream,’'Address Delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.” The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, 25 Jan. 2019, https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom.