The art of writing is similar to the art of War

Writing and war are two quite distinct and separate disciplines. One has no relation with the other. One is associated with the pen while the other deals with the sword. It is, therefore, paradoxical to make an attempt to compare them. But surprisingly enough there is much that is common to both the art of writing and the art of war.

Whatever the subject, theme, or topic of writing, there must be an objective. Similarly every war must have an objective to be achieved. It may be said that an objective is basic to writing as well as to war. All efforts and attempts is a writing or in war are directed towards achieving the objective, that is common to all activities and operations connected therewith. Failure to achieve the objective would set at naught whether it be a writing or a war. An objective, is therefore, a common factor to both the art for writing and art of war.

Another common factor between the two is planning. So far as the art of writing a drama or a novel is concerned, planning includes the plot, characters, situations suspense and correlation between them. The writer has to select a theme, topic or plot. He has to create characters and assign them roles in keeping with the theme or the plot. He has to create such situation as are required to suit the development of the plot and make them effective. The element of suspense is an essential characteristic of a good story, novel or drama. A great amount of skill and dexterity is called for to handle this element is a successful manner. A writer has to plan a proper balance and correlation between all these factors.

With reference to the art of war as well, planning is necessary. In this context planning covers a wide range of activities, such as provision of war materials, selection of suitable personnel for execution or operation, proper and effective coordination between various wings of the fighting forces, a well considered strategy of operation, scope for tactical withdrawals to suit the situation. What is most important in the art of war is selection and provision of suitable armament, needed for the proposed operation. The next step is to pick up suitably competent men for the execution of operations. Even the most effective armament would be of no use if the persons in charge of the operations are incompetent. Different wings of the fighting forces must function under a unified command for achieving the objective. Relatively more important is the overall strategy of operation conceived by the general. It is equally important to provide for tactical withdrawals to suit the situations. All these function are almost identical both to a general planning for a military campaign and a writer planning for a composition.

Politics is the Art of Gaining Power And The Craft of Retaining it

"To reign in hell is better than to be ruled in heaven", is what Milton's Satan in paradise Lost believes. In no way it is the self-consolation of defeated angel nor a humble resignation to the ministers of fate; it is the ingrained ambition of all earthly people. Physical superiority had given more exalted status to man, more prominence to might than to right, more chances for the fittest to survive.

Wars were fought to establish superiority over others, and to force the nations to take up humiliating path of paying homage. Civilized nations have begun to realise that the war is the obsolete method of obtaining decision; physical power has been substitute by the mechanical power. But the love of power-the desire to dictate and direct action and thinking of others-is still uppermost inhuman psychology. Rather it has assumed many other shapes-shapes that are painted in fair colours and are given very attractive names.

Politics is the Art of Gaining Power And The Craft of Retaining it Part 2

In democratic states, particularly, politics is to enlist the active support of the people. Election manifestos  are to dazzle the people, who are baited by them. False promises, appeal to their sentiments, political baits, fine phrases are some of the tricks of the politicians to get the support of the people. They feed them on ready-made opinions and charming ideologies.

the opposition is outwitted. The strategic planning, out-manipulating their moves, counteracting their programmers are a part and parcel of politics. Withing the party it self the opponents are own over; posts are offered, their factions are promised representation, linguistics groups are satisfied. Person representing certain communities, certain sections and certain interests are tackled politically. 

Politics is the Art of Gaining Power And The Craft of Retaining it Part 3

It is easy to win trophies but difficult to retain them. There are many dangers, potential and real, to the political power. Even when in power, a man remains a man-a bundle of frailties and an embodiment of weakness. So while doling out favours- and it is essential to show favours for retaining power-personal limitations may not allow him to bless all. this breeds frustration. As realities fall short of expectations, in politics particularly, vindictive campaign to undermine power structure and assert one's own importance, is started.

Some, more arrogant and counting too much on themselves, may form new parties, whereas more subtle diplomats bring a split from within. Thus there are dangers from without, hidden and obvious. So men in power will have to be cautious, unlike Caesar's wife above suspicions, ready to renounce friendship, capable of realignment with others. They will have to be, more or less opportunists to get the best out of the opportunities and doing best to get opportunities like Shelley's West Wind they are destroyers and preservers-destroy that pulls them down and preserve that supports them. Politics is, of course, the craft of retaining power.

Peace Hath Its Victories No Less Renowned Than War

Two contradictory forces of human nature-pugnacity and love of peace-have been struggling from times immemorial for supremacy. If war is the natural urge of man and the spontaneous growth of his pugnacious nature then peace is the demand of a social life and prerequisite of social cohesion. War results in the victor and the vanquished, the triumphant and the defeated, the proud and the humiliated. War brings material benefits and territorial sovereignty to the victor whereas the defeat loses his liberty, free thinking, traditional way of life, even civilization and culture.

War was considered to be the only alternative to reconcile the two opposing nations and to decide finally the supremacy of the one-ironically enough we can say they justified the truth of the 'survival of the fittest'. The possession of victor were the source of pride, the position of vantage and the power to exploit the victim.

Peace Hath Its Victories No Less Renowned Than War Part 2

The victor builds up the economy of his nation on the ruins of the defeated; all the raw materials are use for producing their own finished goods and similarly they try to snatch away gold as much as it is possible. Their own economy becomes stable and they are in a position to make an all round progress; the defeated lose their initiative and kill their enthusiasm. As a consequence, they are thrown into a state of inactivity and ignorance. Possession of another's territory help them to get food stuffs and the things which are rare in their own country. 

That is why many nations cast greedy eyes upon the "Middle East" which has been the arena of war during the last two World Wars. It is only copper a uranium which are found in Cango, in great abundance, and these minerals resulted in tug of war between two power blocs. There is a great possibility that the Chinese had attacked India to possess the Digboi oil fields in Assam. The material possessions of war, no doubt, cannot be justified on moral grounds and has outlived their justification even according to the codes of social decency, still this has been the order of the past and the present.

Peace Hath Its Victories No Less Renowned Than War Part 3

Not to speak of peace even the peaceful methods of solving the complicated problem of the world have proved their worth; moral force not only brings a peaceful settlement but also changes the mental make up and the thinking of those who are concerned. Negotiations can build the atmosphere of peace; even in the conflicting views they find a meeting ground-enemies of yesterday become the allies of today.

Moreover, moral force reminds them of certain moral principles which are necessary for man if he wants to live in society. We will have to accept the force of the argument when we are reminded that Gandhiji was able to win over the hearts of people and shake off the foreign yoke by adopting peaceful methods.