Influence strategy: principles and levels of analysis
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Authors
Pickett, Bryan M.
Lingenfelter, Charles M.
Subjects
Influence
Strategy
Social Movement Theory
Principles
Levels of Analysis
Narrative
Doctrine
Social
Organizational
Technology
Networks
Boer War
World War I
World War II
Cold War
Trans-National Terrorism
jihadi
Information Operations
Military Operations
Message and Deeds
Consistency
Legitimacy
Media
Strategy
Social Movement Theory
Principles
Levels of Analysis
Narrative
Doctrine
Social
Organizational
Technology
Networks
Boer War
World War I
World War II
Cold War
Trans-National Terrorism
jihadi
Information Operations
Military Operations
Message and Deeds
Consistency
Legitimacy
Media
Advisors
Arquilla, John
Date of Issue
2002-09
Date
December 2011
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
U.S. strategy in current conflicts (Iraq, Afghanistan, and against al-Qaeda) has focused predominantly on heavy U.S. military involvement (mostly kinetic operations), while using influence components, for the most part, in a reactive manner. There seems to be no grand influence strategy that informs U.S. policy and current military operations. There are multiple descriptive formulations, but no prescriptive formulations on developing an effective influence strategy using influence principles. There is also a lack of systematic studies analyzing the impact and effectiveness of influence strategy in conflicts. This thesis explores strategy and influence theory to identify key components of an effective influence strategy and how one should modify these components to increase strategic effectiveness. Using five levels of network analysis we propose six hypotheses and test them using comparative studies of five major strategic conflicts of the past century: the Boer War, WWI, WWII, the Cold War, and U.S. versus trans-national jihadi terrorists. Analysis indicates that: 1) the quality of the competing narratives will prove of decisive importance and 2) any communication strategy will need to address inconsistencies to be effective. The ultimate goal is not to control and guide the message, but to let the message guide and control our actions.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xx, 243 p. : maps ; 28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.