Narrative warfare, as defined by Daniel Schmachtenberger, refers to the strategic manipulation of stories, information, and narratives to influence psychological, social, and political dynamics. This form of conflict operates through the dissemination of tailored information designed to shape perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors of individuals and groups. Unlike traditional warfare, which employs physical force, narrative warfare leverages media, propaganda, and social networks to achieve goals by altering the informational environment. The objective is to control the cognitive landscape, thereby steering public opinion, reinforcing ideological divides, or undermining adversarial cohesion. By weaponizing information, entities engaging in narrative warfare can achieve significant influence and control with minimal physical confrontation, making it a powerful tool in modern power dynamics.

See also: arms race, collective action, collective intelligence, decision making