Rupert Smith, the Utility of Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 703 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1

Page 1 of 2

And modern warfare, although it is less overt, is never-ending and demands constant intelligence-gathering. This kind of flexibility that challenges nations which would often prefer to be fighting 'the last war' they fought, rather than the current one.

During the Cold War, both adversaries 'played by the same rules.' The Soviet Union was even more of a perfect model of an industrialized war society, in which all resources were focused upon defeating its main adversary at the expense of economically providing for its people. But after the dissolution of the bipolar balance of power, non-state actors could openly claim the loyalty of small bands of nationals and co-religionists within the fragmented new world order. Industrialized warfare came into being with the modern nation-state, with its capability of mobilizing large numbers of relatively expendable soldiers. These individuals were organized by a larger, centralized intelligence. Today, given that various non-state cells may not be in communication with one another, there is no overarching plan -- each battle, each small attack is equally important as fighting for victory in the larger 'war' (Smith 331). The new war is local, not industrial.

Stuck Writing Your "Rupert Smith, the Utility Of" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Rupert Smith, the Utility of Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Smith advocates shifting resources from industrialized manufacturing of weaponry, which he sees as needlessly expensive. He points out that almost all major powers in recent decades have shown few benefits in using their superior might in guerrilla situations. Smith demands a focus upon intelligence-gathering, flexibility of operations, and creating a more responsive army. Smith also places a great deal of emphasis on winning the hearts and minds of the people: both the public back home and the ordinary citizens on the ground. "We are now engaged, constantly and in many permutations, in war amongst the people," not industrialized war, he counsels in his conclusion (Smith 451). Learning about the people we fight, and responding to the demands of local battles rather than focusing on 'total wars' is demanded in the current situation in which the West finds itself.

Reference

Smith, Rupert. The Utility of Force: The Art of War in the Modern World.….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Rupert Smith The Utility Of" (2011, January 31) Retrieved June 3, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/rupert-smith-utility-11457

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Rupert Smith The Utility Of" 31 January 2011. Web.3 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/rupert-smith-utility-11457>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Rupert Smith The Utility Of", 31 January 2011, Accessed.3 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/rupert-smith-utility-11457
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example