In People's War, which principle guides engagements and readiness?

• A. Seek air superiority
• B. Fight no battle unprepared
• C. Engage in large-scale conventional battles from the start
• D. Avoid concentrating forces

Answer: (B)

In this idea, readiness and careful preparation before taking the field is the guiding force. The People's War approach stresses building the ability to win before engaging, ensuring political, logistical, and military readiness are in place so that any combat effort has the best chance of success. That mindset is captured by fighting no battle unprepared: you don’t start a fight unless you’re ready to prevail, avoiding wasteful or doomed engagements.

Air superiority is important in many contexts, but it isn’t the overarching rule governing when and how to engage under this doctrine. Large-scale conventional battles from the start contradict the protracted, flexible warfare typical of People’s War, which emphasizes mobilization and adaptability rather than rushing into big, upfront clashes. Avoiding concentrating forces misreads the approach as a blanket rule; decisive actions and mass response are built from solid preparation, not from avoidance of concentration.