Righteous Resistance: Clausewitz's Political Theory of Defence

Abstract

Clausewitz repeatedly avers that defence is the stronger form of war, but his substantive arguments tend to show that the merits of defence are largely dependent on the political circumstances of the defender. He does not prove that defence is inherently superior to attack, but rather that defence is the means by which a state's political virtues – its benevolent policies at home and its friendly relations abroad – are more effectively translated into fighting capability. Clausewitz also indicates how the defensive is likely to end in failure for a state lacking those political virtues, which must therefore be seen as essential to defensive strategy.