Carl von Clausewitz and the Annihilatory Logic of Modern Culture Wars

Carl von Clausewitz, the renowned Prussian general and military theorist, is best known for his seminal work, On War. While his theories were born from the battlefields of the 19th century, they offer a startlingly clear lens through which to view our modern cultural landscape. Clausewitz helps reveal how modern culture wars follow the annihilatory logic of total war.

His assertion that “war is merely a continuation of politics by other means” positions military action as intrinsically linked to political objectives and societal contexts. Today, this dynamic has evolved. We are witnessing a rise in culture wars characterized by deep ideological divides that mirror the strategies of complete annihilation found in traditional warfare.

War is merely a continuation of politics by other means.

Carl von Clausewitz

Clausewitz’s Theoretical Framework

To understand the connection between 19th-century military theory and 21st-century Twitter feuds, we must first understand Clausewitz’s core concepts.

The Trinity Model

At the heart of Clausewitz’s framework is the Trinity model, which integrates three interrelated elements essential for grasping the complexities of conflict:

• The Nature of Violence: The blind natural force of primordial violence, hatred, and enmity.

• The Interplay of Chance: The probability and uncertainty that make war a gamble.

• Political Objectives: The element of subordination, where war serves as an instrument of policy.

The Concept of Friction

Clausewitz also introduced the concept of “friction,” defined as the myriad challenges and unpredictable variables—human emotions, limitations, and chaos—that complicate the execution of plans. He argued that war is not