Geoffrey Parker's analysis of whether Philip II of Spain had a coherent grand strategy — concluding that he did, but that it was consistently undermined by poor information, slow communications, and Philip's own micromanagement.
Grand strategy in early modernity: applies contemporary strategic studies concepts to the 16th century. Philip's strategy: defending Catholicism globally against Protestantism and the Ottoman Empire — coherent in conception but disastrous in execution. The 'paper empire' problem: ruling a global empire from Madrid with 16th-century communications. Information failure as a structural cause of strategic failure.
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