[May 9, 2021] A young Winston Churchill wrote in 1899 that Britain’s indulgence in war was an outgrowth of the betterment of all humanity. Like many leaders of the time, Churchill was a Baconian1 through and through.
Englishman Francis Bacon had called for “the conquest of nature for the relief of man’s estate.” This idea was based on the formulation of the scientific method, being superior to other fanciful, primitive forms. Thus to execute a war, one must use the modern scientific method through advanced technology, modern military tactics, and the care of one’s troops on the field of battle.
In his mid-twenties, writing about the River War (the re-conquest of Sudan), Churchill wrote:
There is one spirit which animates all the dealings of the British officers with the native soldier. It is not only seen in Egypt; it exists wherever Britain raises mercenary troops. The officer’s military honor is the honor of his men. . . . The British officer of native corps is never known—on duty or off duty, officially or in private, before or after dinner, by word or implication—to speak disparagingly of his men.
A relationship between British officers and troops from either England or those from other countries was one of the keys to their success. Churchill noted that of all the advantages of the British in the River War, the spirit in his subordinates won the war.
Such “mutual confidence” makes not only obedience but also beneficial disobedience possible. Churchill means that British officers could countermand the Commander’s orders if some new, unforeseen circumstance arose, deploying their own intelligence and daring to fit any unanticipated occasion. Method, yes; roboticism, no.
In modern military terms, we call this “flexibility.” If a soldier, airman, Marine, or sailor were given an order to execute immediately, use of their good judgment to withdraw is expected. A leader’s orders and guidance can never cover every contingency or event; thus, the ordinary trooper must be capable of making the call. That is why so many senior commanders ensure flexibility in any plan and encourage it in their subordinates.
His idea of beneficial disobedience – flexibility – contrasts with those who might see Winston Churchill as an unthinking imperialist or racist. He supported the River War for it caused the destruction of a state “which had long become an anachronism – an insult as well as a danger to civilization,” depending as it did on slave trading and religious ideology.
The preeminence of Winston Churchill’s thinking, even as a young man, gives us new insight into his understanding of war and his insight in resisting Nazi Germany’s attempts to subdue Britain during World War II.
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Beneficial disobedience is necessary. As Don Mixon in his book Obedience and Civilization explains: “We may be genuinely puzzled as to how people could obey commands that seem both bloodthirsty and stupid. Puzzlement can vanish when we realize that in the eyes of their perpetrators the hideous crimes of history are not hideous crimes at all, but acts of loyalty, patriotism and duty.”
Obedience can be defined as performing an action not because of a personal desire or motive, but because one is commanded to do so by someone in a position of authority. Obedience can be extremely beneficial in certain circumstances, such as in the relationship between a child and parent, or in the adherence to laws which prevent aggressive actions such as assault, theft, or murder. However, in other cases obedience can result in the most brutal of outcomes.
What this sad fact of history suggests is that humans have a strong tendency to obey those in positions of power. Sigmund Freud recognized this stating that we should “never underestimate the power of the need to obey.”
Good comment 👍
Like most of our defining characteristics, this need to obey, is in part instinctual.
Winston Churchill wrote five books before he was elected to Parliament at the age of twenty-five. The most impressive of these books. The River War tells the story of Britain’s arduous and risky campaign to reconquer the Sudan at the end of the nineteenth century
Young Churchill wrote fifteen dispatches for the Morning Post in London. As British Gen Kitchener had expected, Churchill’s dispatches from the front and his subsequent book were highly controversial. The precocious officer, having earlier seen war on two other continents, showed a cool independence of his commanding officer.
I for one have ordered this book. The River War, An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan by Churchill, Winston S. Get it read it.
Excellent article on young Winston Churchill. I would like for Gen. Satterfield to explore a bit more on why Britain was waging war at the time. Imperialism? Or for the betterment of mankind. Which was it? Churchill makes the case for the latter.
Beneficial Disobedience! I never heard of this before. Searching the Internet, I couldn’t find it spelled out that way. There is a long history of subordinates “countermanding” a senior leader’s orders. Just be sure you’re right or you head might get lopped off.
Same with me. Great to learn something this morning. Happy Mother’s Day!!!!
Yeah, good point. I think we see this more often than not. Perhaps not for big events but daily when the person on the ground “in contact with the enemy” makes decisions based on the context of the environment at the time. With changing circumstances, we must leave the final decision up to those that are there.
Well said. Thanks. Having spent time in the US military (US Army), I can say with confidence that someone who is flexible in carrying out orders (who has the confidence to do the right things) will be promoted and praised. God bless Mothers.
Churchill’s book on the River War should be on every shelf of any great leader. Read it. Study it (it does require study). Embrace the message. It’s not easy but consider your situation during his time in the late 19th century.
Now, this is a BOOK, over 1500 pages with maps and drawings. I cannot afford to spend $150 on this book, so that I will look for a used copy sometime in the future. We all, I’m sure appreciate the highlighting of this great book by Winston Churchill. His insights and steadfastness is still the tale of a real hero.
Yes, a bit expense but I think worth it.
You can buy an earlier edition on Kindle for $0.99. I bought my copy and started reading it. A bit challenging to read.