Borders Quote by B. H. Liddell Hart
![“The blurring of the line between policy and strategy] encouraged soldiers to make the preposterous claim that policy should be subservient to their conduct of operations, and (especially in democratic countries) it drew the statesman on to overstep the definite border of his sphere and interfere…” quote by B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8da/b-h-liddell-hart-9275_borders_the-blurring-of-the-line-between-policy_2081016.jpg)
“The blurring of the line between policy and strategy] encouraged soldiers to make the preposterous claim that policy should be subservient to their conduct of operations, and (especially in democratic countries) it drew the statesman on to overstep the definite border of his sphere and interfere with his military employees in the actual use of their tools.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Strategy: The Indispensable Guide, 1995
Policy should guide military action, not be dictated by it; blurring roles leads to civilian overreach and operational confusion.
In simple terms: Policy must stay above tactics.
Key Takeaway
Keep civilian oversight clear.
Themes
policy
military
civil-military relations
democracy
authority
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advisory
critical
When to use this quote
- defining national strategy
- military planning
- government oversight
- legislative drafting
Key Concepts
civil-military balance
strategic hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can civilian leaders respect military expertise?
- What safeguards prevent policy from being subservient to operations?
A Different Perspective
Policy cannot be reduced to mere execution; strategic intent matters.
