The Operational Art of Political Transformation: General Lucius D. Clay, Post World War II Germany, and Beyond

There are salient ideas on aspects of operational art and the leadership of the operational artist that pertain to indigenous political transformations during stability efforts. During the post-World War II US occupation of Germany, General Lucius D. Clay, the commander of the Office of Military Government United States was an operational artist. General Clay affected policy by interacting with policymakers, and connected ways and means toward peace building in post-war Germany. He helped to consolidate gains, secure the peace, and was an example of successful political transformation in support of democratization. To achieve socio-political change, the commander must understand the complexities of the target population social and political systems, then visualize an approach integrating the military options, ways, and means available to achieve the strategic aims. Clays execution of the denazification program resonates with implications on how the US and Army civil affairs forces may attempt to affect socio-political change of another state.