Successful military strategy at its core seeks to maximize gains simultaneously with minimizing losses. Gains come in many forms, change of government, economic and resource acquisition, liberation of oppressed peoples to name a few. Losses come in lives lost, property damage, use of goods/resources, time expenditure to achieve desired results to name a few.
War is messy and should be avoided as much as possible. However, war historically and presently has been a harsh reality. Waging war and securing peace after conflict requires strategic thinking and planning. Sometimes strategy succeeds as planned, sometimes it does not. This has not stopped leaders and strategists from continuously modeling and planning scenarios to achieve the best possible outcome. The most gain and benefit combined with the least amount of loss.
Game Theory as a field of study has been developing since the early 18th century. Search results for game theory provide mind blowing links into various theorists, mathematicians, their discoveries and utilization of discoveries. How do we interact to achieve our goals individually and collectively with the best possible outcome for both? Who does not want this to be the result of actions taken by organizations and the individuals that populate them?
Unfortunately, there is no utopia. There is no equal outcome. There will always be individuals and groups that take actions to achieve their desired goals that do not result in benefits for groups and individuals. Arguably, it is important to be aware or have some knowledge of these strategies whether economic, political, societal, militaristic and so on.
Awareness and basic knowledge allows for the probability of successful outcomes to be more likely. Successful outcomes such as investment, positive return on investment, investment that benefits individuals, investment that benefits groups and perhaps whole societies. Simultaneously, this awareness may not only produce beneficial gains. It may minimize loss of time, financial, personal and resources as well as livelihoods and lives. Think about it.
