The Immutable Importance of Geography

Bibliographic Data

ID20139554
AuthorsDavid G Hansen (corresponding author)
Year1997
Volume27
Issue1
Publication date1997-02-13
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe US Army War College Quarterly Parameters (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-1723 • E-ISSN: 0031-1723
PublisherUnited States Army War College Press (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.55540/0031-1723.1813
OpenAlexW3129714370
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited1

Contemplating geography as it relates to strategy is not an activity that most of us elect to do on a Saturday afternoon.A friend's comment comes to mind: the only thing he remembered about geography from his school experience was that he didn't like it.Indeed, too many of us have the notion that geography, and particularly strategic geography, has become a relic science of little use to the modern military professional.Since we have access to the latest developments in technology and information, who needs to know the location of the Straits of Malacca, or understand cultural settlement patterns in Africa, or know what is contained on continental shelves?[1] Students and practitioners of national security policy learn through their experience, or know through intuition, that strategy is carried out over territory and space.In the final analysis, military operations consist of controlling territory and influencing populations.The subjection of territory and populations, as well as control of the space above the territory, are geographical considerations.All this may be a bit Clausewitzian; nevertheless, few attempt to refute Clausewitz's argument that territory, people, and those who control those physical factors are the foundations upon which a successful strategy is built.Similarly, Sun Tzu argued 2000 years before Clausewitz that "the elements of the art of war are first, measurement of space; second, estimation of quantities; third, calculations; fourth, comparisons; and fifth, chances of victory."Geography for the military professional should include the study of subjects that will lend clarity to the issues of spatiality that enable calculations and comparisons.To ensure that a specific concept or plan produces the desired strategic ends, strategists should first make a determined effort to become as familiar with the fields of geography as they are with history or any other academic discipline.[2] This article seeks to demonstrate the immutable importance of geography for strategists.Misunderstanding or misusing geography can confuse our thinking and thwart our best efforts at developing effective national security strategy.Knowledgeably and sensibly applied, however, geography is a discipline that can clarify strategic issues and increase the chances of success in any political, economic, or military endeavor

Geography · Political science · Geography Education and Pedagogy

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