Overview

War remains the most chaotic and destructive act our species is capable of. In addition to waging war against those we disagree with, we also battle with which beliefs about war are superior to alternatives. We make war with ideas, beliefs, and mindsets along with bullets, bombs, and missiles. The tactics and technologies matter, but only if societies can also realize the limitations of their strategic, organizational, and societal frameworks on defining and engaging in organized violence. Ben Zweibelson presents an entirely disruptive and groundbreaking way to make sense of conflict at a meta-theoretical level. Blending philosophy and sociology, he provides a challenging synthesis of multiple war paradigms, from technological, Westphalian frames of western industrialized societies to those under Marxist versions, and radical ideological movements and sects. Readers interested in philosophy, political science, security affairs, and foreign policy will find this book highly informative and provocative. In this book, those waging internationally sanctioned warfare clash with proponents of 'wokefare', radical terrorists and doomsday cults battle with totalitarian regimes, and more. Reconceptualizing War attempts what no previous book on war has done, in that each war theory remains grounded in one dominant war paradigm. Zweibelson takes readers on a mind-bending intellectual journey where all war paradigms are explained, contrasted, and overlapped so that greater understanding of our species' perpetual fascination with conflict is achieved. AUTHOR: Dr. Ben Zweibelson has over three decades of service to the U.S. Department of Defense, retiring as an Infantry Officer with 22 years combined service, multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and awarded four Bronze Stars. Author of two other books, 'Understanding the Military Design Movement' (Routledge, 2023) and 'Beyond the Pale' (Air University Press, 2023), Ben lectures at numerous war colleges and universities around the world. He holds a doctorate in philosophy, has three master's degrees, and graduated U.S. Army Ranger School among numerous other demanding military courses. Ben resides in Colorado Springs with his wife and three boys. 36 b/w illustrations

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9781804517291

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Reviews

""Reconceptualizing War is a must-read for practitioners, politicians, and academics alike. The book challenges traditional notions of war and conflict, offering a groundbreaking perspective on war as a social construct. This book is essential for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of war and conflict, and its invaluable contribution to the field is sure to spark reflection and debate.""--Major General Simon Bernard, Deputy Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command (Canadian Armed Forces) ""Reconceptualizing War is not for the faint of heart but for those willing to face cognitive discomfort, challenge their foundational beliefs about war, and engage in the strenuous task of thinking holistically about the complexities of modern conflict. It is a bold, necessary leap toward winning the ultimate battle--how we think about war itself.""--Major General (retired) Brook ""Tank"" Leonard, former Chief of Staff, U.S. Space Command ""Ben Zweibelson knows war from the foxhole of a combat infantryman and the desk of a philosopher. In Reconceptualizing War, he shatters everything we think we know about the most important and most challenging human endeavor. Highly recommended.""--John Nagl, author of ""Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam"" ""Ben Zweibelson's Reconceptualizing War is nothing short of an intellectual detonator, set to explode conventional thinking within the military profession. This book dives deeply into theory, war philosophy, and sociology, reaching a level of mastery few military writers achieve. It's a must-read for any serious warrior-scholar, pushing the boundaries of what we assume to be foundational knowledge. Zweibelson's work is audacious and transformative, challenging the rigid convictions and assumptions that shape our current doctrine. Reconceptualizing War should be essential reading at every level of military education, and its concepts must be urgently integrated to drive self-development and innovation in preparation for the unexpected crises of tomorrow.""--Scott Stalker, MGySgt USMC (ret). previous Senior Enlisted Leader for, DIA, NSA, Cyber Command, Space Command

Author Information

Dr. Ben Zweibelson has over three decades of service to the U.S. Department of Defense, retiring as an Infantry Officer with 22 years combined service, multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and awarded four Bronze Stars. Author of two other books, 'Understanding the Military Design Movement' (Routledge, 2023) and 'Beyond the Pale' (Air University Press, 2023), Ben lectures at numerous war colleges and universities around the world. He holds a doctorate in philosophy, has three master's degrees, and graduated U.S. Army Ranger School among numerous other demanding military courses. Ben resides in Colorado Springs with his wife and three boys.

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