This proposition is made in Huainanzi compiled under the sponsorship of Liu An (179?-122BC), King of Huainan, in the Western Han Dynasty. Earlier Chinese scholars had proposed that war should be seen in a wider context of state policy, not just as military actions. According to this thinking, war is a part of state policy, not independent of it, and it is state policy that eventually dictates the direction of war and whether it ends in victory or defeat. This is quite similar to Clausewitz’ statement in his work On War that “War is the continuation of policy by other means.”

State policy dictates victory or defeat in war. If such policy enjoys popularity and officials remain loyal to the ruler, the army will be strong. However, if the population opposes the state policy and officials betray the ruler, the army will be weak. (Huainanzi)