Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz

Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz both theorized on the strategies, influences, and effects of war. Sun Tzu sees it with an idealistic outlook, believing that war has requirements and predictable outcomes. Clausewitz, on the other hand, thinks that war is more enigmatic and susceptible to chance and happenstance. Both realize that war is a political action of the state with a political purpose. Clausewitz states that “war is an extension of politics by other …

…Tzu advocates the use of deception, while Clausewitz warns to be suspicious of the enemy in all respects. Ultimately, it is their views on chance that separate them best from each other. Clausewitz sees war as an unpredictable occurrence that is entwined in chance. Sun Tzu, on the other hand, maintains that chance does not play a role in war, that the victor can be predicted based on a number of characteristics of both sides.