In systems theory, the process of conflict escalation is modeled by positive feedback.
Sun Tzu elaborated it in a more abstract form and maintained that military strategy was about minimizing escalation and diplomacy was about eliminating it.
The United States Marine Corps' "Continuum of Force" (found in MCRP 3-02B)[clarification needed] documents the stages of conflict escalation in combat for a typical subject: The subject responds to and obeys verbal commands.
Initially, the subject physically resists commands, but he can be made to comply by compliance techniques, including come-along holds, soft-handed stunning blows, and techniques inducing pain by joint manipulation and pressure points.
This could also include the subject physically overpowering someone and choking them out, which will cause injury or death if sustained for a long period of time.