Politics and Force Levels

Politics and Force Levels: The Strategic Missile Program of the Kennedy Administration offers a comprehensive analysis of the sweeping military build-up undertaken during John F. Kennedy's presidency, focusing specifically on the expansion of the United States' strategic missile forces. The book examines the pivotal collaboration between Kennedy and his Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara, whose defense policies transformed the U.S. into a nuclear superpower. By increasing missile capabilities, including the deployment of Minuteman ICBMs, Titan II ICBMs, and Polaris submarines, the Kennedy Administration fundamentally reshaped America's strategic posture, emphasizing deterrence through overwhelming military strength.

The book delves into the political, historical, and bureaucratic contexts that shaped these defense strategies. It explores the influence of pre-existing programs initiated under the Eisenhower Administration, the political climate of the missile-gap controversy, and the competing interests within the U.S. defense establishment. Through detailed accounts of policy decisions and their implementation, the study critiques the official justification for the missile build-up, revealing the complex interplay of intelligence limitations, bureaucratic bargaining, and political imperatives. This work serves both as a vital case study in defense policymaking and as a broader commentary on the influence of internal political dynamics on national security strategies.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1980.