Final answer:
The distinction is that a great general excels in military tactics and strategy, while a brilliant revolutionary leads social change and restructures military forces, influencing how wars are fought.
The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinction between a great general and a brilliant revolutionary lies in several areas: A great general has a deep understanding of military tactics and the art of war, which includes knowing when to engage or avoid battle, managing forces effectively regardless of their strength, and always being prepared to exploit the enemy's unpreparedness.
These are principles clearly outlined by Sun Tzu, encompassing skills like adapting tactics, deceiving the enemy, and using the environment to one's advantage.
On the other hand, a brilliant revolutionary, such as Napoleon, changed the landscape of warfare not just through tactics on the battlefield but by transforming the very structure and culture of the military, introducing mass conscription, and turning the officer corps into a meritocracy, thus democratizing and strengthening the military in unprecedented ways.
While a great general may excel at executing military campaigns efficiently and skillfully, a brilliant revolutionary goes a step further by influencing societal change and challenging the status quo, leading to innovations in the structure and composition of military forces as seen during the French Revolution.
Therefore, the key distinction lies in the ability to win battles versus the capability to lead social change and the innovative thinking for change that modifies the very nature of how warfare is conducted.
The correct option is a.