Class Analysis and COIN

[Bob's World]

I know WILF is a smart guy, and that he believes strongly in his position. While I will not simply roll over when confronted with such, nor will I doggedly simply entrench myself in my own position and refuse to listen.

There must be something there, that either I need to examine more closely, or that I need to point out to him so that he can examine it as well. So, after posting, I did a little research to see what others have written about Clausewitz as it applies to Insurgency, and found a paper written by a US Army Major at Leavenworth back in 1995.

As it happens, the position he takes agrees more with the one I hold to than WILF, but that is not why I share it here. I share it because the author takes an approach I had not seen before, and does a nice job of laying out a logical, easy to read argument. I particularlly like his simple diagram that expands the CvC trinity model to include the insurgent. Worth a read, regardless of which camp you happen to subscribe most closely to.
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc...c=GetTRDoc.pdf

[John T. Fishel]

class. The classical definition of social class depends on a relationship of income and occupational prestige. This is often predicted by - often determined by (but not always) level of education. So, if you define class differently - and operational definition is always your right - be prepared to be challenged and to need to keep reasserting your definition.

That said, there is much evidence that societies do not simply organize themselves in terms of class - I/O class. Culture is often seen (particularly by anthropologists like MarcT) as determining social organization. Of course, it may be that individual actions determine both culture and social organization. My point here is to suggest that you not get overly committed to one form of explaining complex human phenomena. As Hamlet said, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Cheers

JohnT

[slapout9]

American Pride, you can use the SBW method I learned in LE. To find out who has the real power in any country,organization,etc. build a System Map based on the 3F's. Family,Friends and Finances and how they are connected. It may sound to simplistic but give it a shot...it can be very revealing

Tips:
1-Real power is often concealed both in stable and unstable countries,organizations,etc.
2-Always follow the money.
3-If a person has a lot of publicity he/she probably dosen't have that much real power. Not always, but more often then not this true.
4-Genology data bases are often gold mines if you take the time to map them.
5-The CIA used to have book that was open source about this....saw it on Robert Steele's website a while back....can not remeber the title.

[AmericanPride]

I pieced together a powerpoint to illustrate the concepts and their relationships. If anyone is interested in reviewing it, let me know and I can e-mail it you.

[William F. Owen]

I know WILF is a smart guy, and that he believes strongly in his position.

IF I am smart... I would hope it is because I do not believe in anything strongly, and am prepared to understand things based on the evidence! However I am moved by the compliment coming from a man of your stature, Sir.

As it happens, the position he takes agrees more with the one I hold to than WILF, but that is not why I share it here.

I will read it with interest. Travelling at the moment, but top of my list when I get back.