John McCain and Barak Obama argued about the differences in their first debate. The argument drove me to the dictionary even as the debate continued. Wisegeek.com has a complete write up on the topic. The answer according to this web site?
Essentially, strategy is the thinking aspect of planning a change, organizing something, or planning a war. Strategy lays out the goals that need to be accomplished and the ideas for achieving those goals. Strategy can be complex multi-layered plans for accomplishing objectives and may give consideration to tactics.
Tactics are the meat and bread of the strategy. They are the “doing” aspect that follows the planning. Tactics refer specifically to action. In the strategy phase of a plan, the thinkers decide how to achieve their goals. In other words they think about how people will act, i.e., tactics. They decide on what tactics will be employed to fulfill the strategy.
I believe the surge was a tactic not a strategy. The strategy was the plan to take control of Iraq in an effort to reduce terrorism. I have posted the question on the wisegeek web site.
Wisegeek response:
Coast Contact 