Indirekt/direkt metod. En begreppsanalys av det diffusa

Sammanfattning: Abstract This is a conceptual examination that studies the use of the concepts indirect and direct approach in the Swedish armed forces. The purpose is to examine if the concepts can be understood with John Gerrings theory and which impact that understanding have on the use of the concepts in military context. The examination was conducted as a textual analysis of Swedish textbooks in military theory and doctrines as well as the Swedish tactical army regulations. The result of the textual analyse gave three different meanings of the concepts, the concepts as ideal-types, ideas and as methods. When operationalized with Gerrings eight criteria’s it comes clear that the concepts are ambiguous and vague in their structure. As ideal-types the concepts lack to much diversity from each other to be of use. As ideas they are obsolete because of their more recent development into the concepts of maneuver- and attrition-warfare. Lastly as methods they aren’t suitable for military use, due to their lack of one unambiguous interpretation, they can’t be used in orders or in planning. The different interpretations would lead to lack of coordination which would give away the initiative to the counterpart.