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About the CCRP The Command and Control Research Program (CCRP) has the mission of improving DoD’s understanding of the national security implications of the Information Age. Focusing upon improving both the state of the art and the state of the practice of command and control, the CCRP helps DoD take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by emerging technologies. The CCRP pursues a broad program of research and analysis in information superiority, information operations, command and control theory, and associated operational concepts that enable us to leverage shared awareness to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of assigned missions. An important aspect of the CCRP program is its ability to serve as a bridge between the operational, technical, analytical, and educational communities. The CCRP provides leadership for the command and control research community by: • articulating critical research issues; • working to strengthen command and control research infrastructure; • sponsoring a series of workshops and symposia; • serving as a clearing house for command and control related research funding; and • disseminating outreach initiatives that include the CCRP Publication Series. This is a continuation in the series of publications produced by the Center for Advanced Concepts and Technology (ACT), which was created as a “skunk works” with funding provided by the CCRP under the auspices of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (NII). This program has demonstrated the importance of having a research program focused on the national security implications of the Information Age. It develops the theoretical foundations to provide DoD with information superiority and highlights the importance of active outreach and dissemination initiatives designed to acquaint senior military personnel and civilians with these emerging issues. The CCRP Publication Series is a key element of this effort. Check our website for the latest CCRP activities and publications. www.dodccrp.org This publication was originally produced by the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University (NDU) in 1998 for the CCRP. ABOUT THE COVER: The portrait of Clausewitz is owed to the kind permission of Clausewitz.com. The surrounding motif is known as the Mandelbrot set, the computer plot of a fractal basin boundary. It symbolizes both the underlying complexity and simplicity that characterize nonlinear dynamics. The complexity is represented by the endless repetition of self-similar patterns. Even when magnified 2.7 million times, additional structure continues to appear. The simplicity is demonstrated by the formula that generates the object: Z2 +C. DoD Command and Control Research Program Assistant Secretary of Defense (NII) & Chief Information Officer Mr. John G. Grimes Special Assistant to the ASD (NII) & Director RI Research Dr. David S. Alberts Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense, or any other U.S. Government agency. Cleared for public release; distribution unlimited. Portions of this publication may be quoted or reprinted without further permission, with credit to the DoD Command and Control Research Program, Washington, D.C. Courtesy copies of reviews would be appreciated. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Czerwinski, Thomas J. Coping with the bounds: A Neo-Clausewitzean Primer / Thomas J. Czerwinski. p. cm Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 1-57906-009-9 1. Military art and science—Philosophy. 2. Nonlinear theories. 3. Complexity (Philosophy) I.Title. U21.2.C94 1998 355.001—dc21 98-14653 January 1998 CIP August 2003 September 2008 Coping with the Bounds A Neo-Clausewitzean Primer Thomas J. Czerwinski