ABSTRACT
Many of the great human endeavours are guided by principles which have evolved and developed over time and through experience. The recognition and application of the relevant principles to any given enterprise are the essential first steps towards a successful conclusion. Naturally, success can never be guaranteed, but he who contemplates, for example, armed conflict and ignores the Principles of War72 begins at a significant disadvantage: ‘They are guides to conduct which have constantly proved successful in the past, and they serve as a warning that their disregard involves risks and is likely to bring failure.73 Among other well-known principles are Sir Robert Thompson’s Principles for Defeating Communist Insurgency.74 What should be understood about intervention principles is that they have to be applied to individual situations as they occur. Sometimes, indeed often, the principles may conflict and alternative sets of consequences have to be weighed.
