Liberal Democracies at War

Reviews / Votes

This is an exciting and thought-provoking work. It provides examples from a range of cases from the First World war to the War on Terror, with detailed analysis of specific incidents and a generous portfolio of illustrations. * Michael Kelly, Southampton University, UK * This is a disturbing and important collection of essays. It shows how the waging of war over the past century has distorted or destroyed the conditions that make liberal democracy possible. Essential reading for anyone interested in the corrosive and enduring effects of war. One of the great puzzles of the past century is how liberal states can justify the way they wage war or counter-insurgency while paying lip service to democratic principles and the rule of international law. This volume succeeds admirably in showing just how morally complex or morally compromised liberal war-making can be. This is an excellent introduction to a question of perennial significance. In his great work "On War" Clausewitz pointed out that in wartime the intentions of political leaders and the plans of military commanders will always be distorted by "the passion of the peoples". The events of the last two hundred years have only shown how right he was. The greater the participation of peoples in their government, the greater the probability that public opinion, so far from moderating the conduct of war, is only likely to make it more barbarous.

This excellent collection shows how, and why, this so often comes about at every level, from the political leadership to the conduct of armed forces on and behind the battlefield. It is essential reading for all who believe that the superior morality of their own societies will justify the use of military force to extend it. * Sir Michael Howard, Emeritus Professor of Modern History, University of Oxford, UK *