The Art of Political War

In a book published in 2000, which looks to now be out of print, David Horowitz defined The Art of Political War. His premise is that the Democrats are engaged in something different from what the Republicans believe they are engaged in. One believes they are fighting a war, and one believes they are debating policy. Can you guess which is which?

Horowitz’s premise is laid out here.

When Republicans complain about forces they cannot control, they behave like victims and give up the power to determine their fate. Democrats will be Democrats. They will be unprincipled and lie. Republicans can hope Democrats will behave better than this, but if Republicans go into battle expecting Democrats to be better than they are, they will only set themselves up for political ambush. Instead of complaining about others, Republicans should be asking themselves: How do they do it? How do they get away with it? What do they know that makes them able to package a bankrupt political agenda and sell it successfully to the American voter?

Here are the principles of political war that the left understands, but conservatives do not:

1. Politics is war conducted by other means.
2. Politics is a war of position.
3. In political warfare, the aggressor usually prevails.
4. Position is defined by fear and hope.
5. The weapons of politics are symbols evoking fear and hope.
6. Victory lies on the side of the people.

Can I summarize that for you? Republicans need to stop whining that the media is in the tank for the Democrats, and learn to understand the principles of political combat. Moreover, they need to learn to anticipate the moves of the Democrats where legislative matters are concerned, or in the context of campaign strategy and rhetoric.