
Dangers of Deterrence
Philosophers on Nuclear Strategy
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 2. December 2020
Book
Hardback
194 pages
978-0-367-53513-1 (ISBN)
Description
Europe has everything to lose from nuclear war, and nothing to gain from it. Yet it is nuclear deterrence that we are relying on to shield us from war. More and more people are coming to believe that security under a nuclear shield is an illusion, and that nuclear deterrence embodies a dangerous paradox. It is too close to provocation, it cannot prevent nuclear blackmail, and its short-term success can only lead to proliferation and ultimate instability. In this book, originally published in 1983, philosophers go behind the rhetoric of the nuclear debate and analyse the dangers of deterrence.
The contributors all share a concern about the radical confusions that have arisen concerning nuclear deterrence. Showing how unilateral arguments can be developed from hard-headed political and military considerations, they stress their belief that carefully managed unilateralism is the best method for securing the political independence of Western Europe. The doctrine is not founded on sheer moral idealism. This book will be essential reading for anyone engaged in the public discussion of defence policy.
The contributors all share a concern about the radical confusions that have arisen concerning nuclear deterrence. Showing how unilateral arguments can be developed from hard-headed political and military considerations, they stress their belief that carefully managed unilateralism is the best method for securing the political independence of Western Europe. The doctrine is not founded on sheer moral idealism. This book will be essential reading for anyone engaged in the public discussion of defence policy.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
385 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-367-53513-1 (9780367535131)
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Content
Acknowledgments. Notes on Contributors. Introduction: A Sceptical Look at the Nuclear Debate Nigel Blake and Kay Pole. Deterrence, Provocation and the Martian Temperament Mary Midgley. Unilateralism: A Clausewitzian Reform? Ken Booth. Nuclear Blackmail Jeff McMahan. Proliferation and the Nature of Deterrence Barrie Paskins. Games Theory and the Nuclear Arms Race Nicholas Measor. Three Main Fallacies in Discussions of Nuclear Weapons W. B. Gallie. Index.