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  4. December 2014
  5. Strategy in History and (versus?) in Economics: A Review of Lawrence Freedman's Strategy: A History

Journal of Economic Literature

ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)

Strategy in History and (versus?) in Economics: A Review of Lawrence Freedman's Strategy: A History

  • Avinash Dixit
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 52, no. 4, December 2014
(pp. 1119–34)
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Abstract

This essay reviews Lawrence Freedman's book "Strategy: A History". The main themes—definitions, strategies in war, business, politics, and revolutions—are overviewed. The value of game-theoretic thinking for practical strategy is assessed. A critical discussion of some concepts and dichotomies emphasized by Freedman, e.g., strategy is governed by the starting point, not the end point, and of the role of stories and scripts in strategy, follows. (JEL A11, A12, C70, D74)

Citation

Dixit, Avinash. 2014. "Strategy in History and (versus?) in Economics: A Review of Lawrence Freedman's Strategy: A History." Journal of Economic Literature, 52 (4): 1119–34. DOI: 10.1257/jel.52.4.1119

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • A11 Role of Economics; Role of Economists; Market for Economists
  • A12 Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
  • C70 Game Theory and Bargaining Theory: General
  • D74 Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions