America’s Environmental Policy: Tactic or Strategy?
McCain mentioned last night that Obama “didn’t know the difference between a ‘tactic’ and a ‘strategy.’” I felt a little stupid because I didn’t know myself—McCain seemed to be in a wordplay league of his own. So I looked them up and tried to find the common—yet mysterious—denominator between the definitions.
A tactic is “a device for accomplishing and end” while a strategy is “a careful plan or method to accomplish an end.” So how do they differ? I would say that strategy is syntax, meaning that it’s a network of tactics that build on each other to reach a goal.
Quite simply: A tactic goes from point A to point B while a strategy runs the alphabetical gamut. A tactic is more direct, while a strategy takes extenuating circumstances into account and maneuvers around them. So, when it comes to environment policy, which candidate uses “tactics” and which uses “strategy?”
McCain wants to use an “A to B” tactic called a “cap and trade” system. The government will issue permits to industries according to their emissions ratings. For instance, a tire-making company is issued a permit with an emissions evaluation of 90. They invest in “greener machinery,” or begin to rely more on recycled materials to make their products. The government will lower their emissions permit to 70, the company can sell the margin (or an emissions evaluation of 20) to entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and other organizations that want to buy them. Economic incentives will drive companies to lower their emissions standards in favor of a greater profit margin.
Obama uses strategy to empower American workers through job opportunities. Much like Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, Obama’s environmental program will try to create 5 million “green collar” jobs through government intervention. Although this approach may not be as direct as John McCain’s, it takes into account an immediate need for jobs. Basically, Obama’s plan favors the creation of new green industries and distribution of green products and services, while McCain aims to make existing industries environmentally friendly. Of course there will be some overlap, yet these are the basic ideas that each candidate carries.
So now you know the difference between “tactic” and “strategy.” Choose whichever you feel is necessary—just don’t be confused.
The difference between a tactic and a strategy ?
This is the kind of trivia that only a self important officer training school teacher could get excited about.
Someone should tell John McCain… that no-one cares.
Really.
Since this blog brought up the discussion about strategies and tactics… You do not choose between a “tactic” and a “strategy.” Words have meaning - for a reason - and this blog seems to be playing “word games” in support of a particular political end.
PulSamsara says - no one cares - and that has been one of our major problems - in Iraq, Afghanistan, now Pakistan and throughout the Long War. You should care - because without a strategy that defines an end-state you merely have a number of tactical operations to satisfy the here and now - not long-range national security goals.
Strategy: A prudent idea or set of ideas for employing the instruments of national power in a synchronized and integrated fashion to achieve theater, national, and/or multinational objectives.
Tactics: The military science that deals with securing objectives set by strategy, especially the technique of deploying and directing troops, ships, and aircraft in effective maneuvers against an enemy.
Obama was clueless concerning the difference between strategy and tactics. As a President and Commander in Chief it is critical that he understands this - otherwise you have the White House Situation Room running battalions from DC while a particular country and / or region goes to shit in a hand basket. General Tommy Franks (former commander of US Central Command) did not understand the difference. Neither did Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Bremmer, Feith, Rice and Perle - though admittedly some may have but chose the wrong strategy.
Off soapbox - bottom line - to those that do “get it” - words have meaning - to those that “do not get it” - words are a parsing game. McCain understands what is critical - Obama either does not - or does not care as long as he can parse words to ensure victory in November.
[...] to Create Environment Police Force to Protect Amazon Biodiversity America’s Environmental Policy: Tactic or Strategy? Venezuela and China Sign a New Oil Deal International Climate Negotiations Criticized by Indigenous [...]