Endless War?
Hidden Functions of the 'War on Terror'
Published on 20. April 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-0-7453-2417-3 (ISBN)
Description
Was the Iraq war really an act of goodwill to liberate people from injustice? Or was it a strategic move to maintain US dominance globally?
This book casts a critical light on the real motives behind war and conflict. David Keen explores how winning war is rarely an end in itself; rather, war tends to be part of a wider political and economic game that is consistent with strengthening the enemy. Keen devises a radical framework for analysing an unending war project, where the 'war on terror' is an extension of the Cold War.
The book draws on the author's detailed study of wars in Sudan, Sierra Leone, as well as in a range of other conflicts.
This book casts a critical light on the real motives behind war and conflict. David Keen explores how winning war is rarely an end in itself; rather, war tends to be part of a wider political and economic game that is consistent with strengthening the enemy. Keen devises a radical framework for analysing an unending war project, where the 'war on terror' is an extension of the Cold War.
The book draws on the author's detailed study of wars in Sudan, Sierra Leone, as well as in a range of other conflicts.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 135 mm
Weight
365 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-2417-3 (9780745324173)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2006
1st Edition
Pluto Press
€124.99
Available for download
Person
David Keen is Reader in Complex Emergencies at the Institute of Development Studies at the London School of Economics. He has written a number of books on conflicts, famines and civil wars, including Endless War?: Hidden Functions of the 'War on Terror' (Pluto, 2006). In recent years, he has conducted extensive fieldwork in Sudan, Sierra Leone and Iraq.
Content
1. Introduction
2. Fuel On The Fire. Predictably Counter-Productive Tactics In The 'War On Terror'
3. War Systems. Local And Global
4. Elusive Enemies And The Need For Certainty
5. The New Witch-Hunt. Finding And Removing The Source Of Evil
6. The Retreat From Evidence-Based Thinking
7. Action-As-Propaganda
8. Warding Off The Shame Of Powerlessness
9. Shame, Purity And Violence
10. Culture And Magic
11. Conclusion
Notes
Index
2. Fuel On The Fire. Predictably Counter-Productive Tactics In The 'War On Terror'
3. War Systems. Local And Global
4. Elusive Enemies And The Need For Certainty
5. The New Witch-Hunt. Finding And Removing The Source Of Evil
6. The Retreat From Evidence-Based Thinking
7. Action-As-Propaganda
8. Warding Off The Shame Of Powerlessness
9. Shame, Purity And Violence
10. Culture And Magic
11. Conclusion
Notes
Index