Axiom III and Proposition IX
Correlation of Nomadic War Machine and Itinerant Metallurgy
The concepts of the nomad war machine and itinerant metallurgy are intricately linked, suggesting that the movement of peoples and the processes of metallurgy are not merely contemporaneous but are interdependent phenomena.
Nature and Purpose of War
War is often mischaracterized as being solely focused on battle. It is crucial to understand that the war machine's objectives extend beyond traditional narratives of warfare.
Central Questions
Is the battle truly the primary objective of war?
Is war itself the primary function of the war machine?
How does the State apparatus interpret and utilize the war machine?
These inquiries reveal a significant ambiguity regarding the term "object," suggesting a deeper interrelation between these concepts.
Distinctions in Warfare
Understanding the nuances between various forms of war:
Pursuit of Battle: Traditional warfare often emphasizes direct confrontations, echoing historical perspectives from military theorists like General Ferdinand Foch, who championed engagements.
Avoidance of Battle: Conversely, the war machine may prioritize reflection and strategic maneuvering over physical engagement.
This distinction blurs the lines of offensive versus defensive strategies, complicating our understanding of military engagements.
Historical Perspectives
Traditionally, warfare sought total annihilation as an end goal. However, guerrilla warfare often aims for outcomes that do not strictly involve battle, challenging established norms of military success.
The evolution of combat into movements of total war further complicates the concept of battle itself, as the rapid maneuvers are tied to guerrilla strategies that resist conventional war definitions.
Objectives of the War Machine
The objectives of the war machine are multifaceted and diverge from established war paradigms:
The annihilation of the enemy is a secondary concern; instead, the war machine often pursues raids that disrupt target environments.
Originating as a nomadic invention, the war machine flourishes in smooth spaces that are essential for sustaining its existence. The foundational goal is to maintain and control these spaces as opposed to engaging in outright warfare.
Complex Relationship with the State
When confronted with States and urban environments, the war machine transforms into an apparatus of destruction, reshaping its identity: war becomes an unavoidable necessity when clashes with State structures occur.
Historical context reveals that archaic States did not initiate wars due to the absence of war machines; they relied on other mechanisms for control, like policing and imprisonment.
Over time, external war machines have catalyzed the dissolution of archaic States, prompting critical inquiries regarding how contemporary States appropriate these war machines to consolidate their own power.
Types of Appropriation Challenges
Operational Essence: The nomadic war machine faces dilemmas concerning conquered territories: should they return to nomadism or establish firm control?
Forms of Appropriation: The divergence between professional armies and conscription, or mercenaries versus territorial warriors, reveals changing dynamics.
Means of Appropriation: Taxation, territorial control, and public works directly influence military structures, affecting how war machines are utilized.
Clausewitz’s Contribution
Carl von Clausewitz famously posited that "war is a continuation of politics by other means." However, he distinguished between two types of warfare:
Ideal Pure War: This refers to an abstract concept of absolute conflict, while
Real Wars: Actual conflicts occurring under the influence of political motivations and objectives.
This dichotomy illustrates the shift from traditional conceptions to realpolitik considerations.
Transformation and Total War
Under State appropriation, the war machine's focus often transitions from a complementary role with war to one where war becomes the primary goal.
In total war, civilian resources and lives become integrated within the military effort, demanding a radical redefinition of societal roles.
Tensions rise when war supersedes state intentions, leading to models such as fascism, where war becomes self-sustaining.
The Legacy of the War Machine
The war machine exhibits a dual nature:
As a destructive force, it often conflicts with the nomadic way of life.
As a creative entity, it fosters new social relations and possibilities for interaction.
This symbiotic relationship between nomadic cultures and States reveals nuanced dynamics that echo through history: nomads often assimilate into State structures as war machines adapt according to changing circumstances and demands.
