Introduction

Sun Tzu’s the Art of War In America Culture

Sun Tzu’s the Art of War Illustrated. Sun Tzu’s the Art of War has transcended cultures, generations, languages, and war strategies. In the Art of War Sun Tzu’s examines the principles to complete military competence. School principals, and administrators can implement Sun Tzu’s war strategies in schools. The Art of Wars illustrates significant steps leaders can take to be efficient, and successful.

Sun Tzu’s six principles to proper leadership and military strategist are “Win all without fighting”, “Avoid strengths attack weakness”, “Deception and foreknowledge”, “Speed and preparation”, “Shaping the enemy”, and most importantly “Character based leadership”.¹

He examines the situations in which a commander may achieve victory. Additionally, he argues that the best way to ultimate military victory is to win without fighting, something believed to be polemic by some. But Sun Tzu has proven strategies that still work to this day.

Sun Tzu’s the Art of War In American Sports

The Art of War has integrated into modern society in several levels, including, of course, modern warfare. However, the Art of War is not limited to just military strategist but rather expands into numerous fields.

Sun Tzu’s principle of focusing of weakness and staying again from strengths can be applied to many circumstances. For example, in the NFL, NBA, and the MLB teams studied video recordings of their opponents to exploit their weakness and avoid their strong points.

In addition, these are cases in which Sun Tzu’s principles are evident; however, he is not credited with the situation. Furthermore, in most situation in which leadership is required; Sun Tzu’s “Character based leadership” comes to mind. For instance, in politics a candidate that has character based leader to lead a country or State is often very successful.

Sun Tzu’s the Art of War is the oldest and most relevant strategic manual that ever existed. With that being said, Sun Tzu’s principles are relevant to the art of modern warfare. Modern military leaders can, and often are, relying on the War of War to lead their troops. In addition, several of Sun Tzu’s principles are used to conduct strategic operations, and to lead troops. Sun Tzu’s manual focuses on strategist to accomplish victory; however, it also explains the traits necessary for a sage commander or a capable leader.

His viewed on the ideal commander has become common knowledge in the modern military.² For instance, “The writings of Sun Tzu are still widely applicable to modern warfare and are writings which the author can relate to”.³ Sun Tzu’s served in Chinese military in the Ancient world around the 6th century BC traditionally.

In the Ancient world the average woman had little to say in warfare therefore Sun Tzu’s principles are focused at men on the battlefield. However, Sun Tzu’s ideas are not limited to gender but rather on proper military leader, and strategy.

In the modern military where soldiers are both men and women and military leadership is not limited to men, Sun Tzu’s principles are available and applicable to military situations regardless of the gender of the commanding officer. For instance, Sun Tzu’s principles of war are relevant to any American commanding position regardless if the position is occupied by a man or woman.

Conclusion

Great Captains unveiled by B.H Liddell Hart focuses on six military leaders and their great contributions to the art of war. Although, Hart focuses on six historical figures to study their strategically impact, and their mark, often overseen in history, to examined their strategically accomplishments; nonetheless, numerous seminaries are charged among writers. With that being said, Sun Tzu’s the Art of War focuses on certain military situations to examine the importance, of planning, developing, and overtaking military strategies.

In both texts the focus is put on military strategy and the characteristics of a great captain or sage commander. Therefore, I believe that there are numerous similarities in Sun Tzu’s the Art of War and Hart’s Great Captains Unveiled.

EndNote

1. McNeilly, Mark Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare, Oxford University Press April 10, 2003 pg. 8
2. Ibid pg. 63
3. Zapotoczny, Walter S. Sun Tzu Compared to Clausewitz
(https://edge.apus.edu/access/content/group/177219/External%20Websites/Week%202/Week%202SunTzuClausewitz.pdf)

References 

McNeilly, Mark Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare, Oxford University Press April 10th, 2003 pg. 8

Zapotoczny, Walter S. Sun Tzu Compared to Clausewitz 2006
(https://edge.apus.edu/access/content/group/177219/External%20Websites/Week%202/Week%202SunTzuClausewitz.pdf)

Ang, Adwin the War on Terror: From Sun Tzu’s Perspective Feb 14, 2007
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-war-terror-sun-tzus-perspective-195942.html