The Ashgate Research Companion to Modern Warfare / Edition 1

by John Buckley, George Kassimeris

Overview

This research collection provides a comprehensive study of important strategic, cultural, ethical and philosophical aspects of modern warfare. It offers a refreshing analysis of key issues in modern warfare, not only in terms of the conduct of war and the wider complexities and ramifications of modern conflict, but also concepts of war, the crucial shifts in the structure of warfare, and the morality and legality of the use of force in a post-9/11 age.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780754674108
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/24/2010
Pages:	486
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.70(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Dr George Kassimeris, University of Wolverhampton, UK and Professor John Buckley, University of Wolverhampton, UK

Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction, George Kassimeris and John Buckley; Part I Strategy and Conduct of War: The Western way of war, Jeremy Black; Strategic thought: the relevance of Clausewitz, Antulio J. Echevarria II; Development of modern counterinsurgency theory and doctrine, James S. Corum; Air power: the quest to remove battle from war, Joel Hayward; Sea power, Andrew Lambert; Land warfare: attrition and manoeuvre, John Buckley. Part II Aspects of Modern War: After the RMA: contemporary intelligence, power and war, John Ferris; Cyberwar, Myriam Dunn Cavelty; 20th century military spending patterns, Jari Eloranta; The politics of the contemporary trade in major conventional weapons, Mark Pythian; Turning war into business: private security companies and commercial opportunism, Chris Kinsey; Women in the armed forces of Western democracies, Helena Carreiras; Women and World War II, Lucy Noakes. Part III Morality and Law: Ethics and the enduring relevance of just war theory in the 21st century, David Whetham; Lying down with dogs: the inadequacy of Machiavellianism as a basis for US foreign policy, Thomas M. Kane; Civilization and savagery, Brett Bowden; International law: military force and armed conflict, Christopher P.M. Waters and James A. Green; Humanitarian intervention: genocide, crimes against humanity and the use of force, Steven Haines; 'Forgetful warriors': neglected lessons on leadership from Plato's Republic, George R. Lucas. Part IV Perceptions and Representations of Warfare: Land of ghosts? Memories of war in the Balkans, Patrick Finney; Cinema and the Cold War: an international perspective, Tony Shaw; Music as an inspiration for combat among American soldiers in Iraq, Jonathan Pieslak; Media war and media management, Stephen Badsey; From psychological warfare to information operations and back again, Philip M. Taylor; Small wars and telecommunication, Thomas Rid; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'I can think of no other single volume on war that I would rather place in the hands of a university student at the outset of their studies. Henceforth, this companion will represent the standard by which all texts for the teaching and study of modern warfare will be judged.’ R. Gerald Hughes, Aberystwyth University, UK 'Given that our understanding of what constitutes contemporary war is so bitterly contested, this book could not be more timely. Crucially, too, it is not content simply to provide a survey of the field, but seeks to provoke debate with essays that go beyond the standard approaches to the subject and that embrace unusual topics and innovative interpretations.' Hew Strachan, University of Oxford, UK 'An essential tool for both the student and practitioner of modern warfare across its full spectrum. It does not pretend to give all the answers but it certainly asks the right questions. One copy please on every staff college student's bedside table - like a Gideon Bible.' Crispin Black MBE MPhil, Falklands veteran and Associate Fellow of Chatham House 'This volume consists of 25 interesting, well-written essays by experts in military affairs, mostly British. The opening section reviews the classic and recent literature on air, land, and sea warfare, and is particularly well done...Recommended.' Choice 'The text provides much food for thought. It is salutary to be reminded, for instance, that had the Third World War broken out, the Soviet Union had every expectation of winning it. ... The staff college student might be more concerned with what lessons history can teach about the present day. On this topic, as on others, many valuable (if often depressing) insights will be found. ... a collection which will be relevant not only to soldiers and politicians, but also to the electors to whom (in democratic countries at least) they are ultimately responsible.' Reference Reviews

From the Publisher