Podcast w/ David Keen, author of Useless Enemies: When Waging Wars Is More Important Than Winning Them

It's not so unusual to observe that war is often a goal in itself rather than a means to an end. But it is unusual to systematize the observation, to normalize it, and -- I hate to use this term -- to give it theoretical underpinnings. Although he doesn't talk about his findings in theoretical terms, and doesn't need to, David Keen has taken a great step toward revising our thinking about war in his book Useful Enemies:When Waging Wars Is More Important Than Winning Them (Yale University Press, 2012). This is an important and provocative work, presented in a low-key, unassuming sort of way. In other words, a find!

I hope you enjoy the podcast.

http://www.electricpolitics.com/podcast/2013/01/on_magical_war.html