Synopses & Reviews
Going to War overturns conventional views of the role of public opinion, the armed forces, parliamentarians, NGOs and writers in the formation of British debates about impending wars. It shows the pressures and the reasons which have led to Britain's involvement in so many conflicts.
Synopsis
Britain has a culture which encourages interference overseas. It has been involved in more wars than most countries and founded many Non-Government Organisations. Going to War looks at how pressure groups, religious bodies, armchair strategists, science fiction writers, military officers, commentators and journalists have tried to influence public opinion, governments and Parliament to restrain or encourage overseas intervention. It shows how the old idea that the great majority were simple-minded enthusiasts for foreign incursions has been discrE pollsters, and conlcudes with an analysis of Britain's current involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, suggesting ways in which the governmental system could be modified to reflect public opinion and avoid foreign incursions in future.
About the Author
PHILIP TOWLE has worked for the Australian National University in Canberra and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He has taught in the Centre of International Studies at Cambridge University, UK since 1980 and was previously its Director. This is his twelfth book on International History and Security.
Table of Contents
Preface * Chronology * Introduction * Culture and Circumstance * The Anglican Church and War * Civil Society * The Media and War * War and Literature * The Rise of the Armchair Strategists * The Professional Military * Parliamentary Debates * Public Opinion * Iraq and Afghanistan * Do Debates Matter? * Brief Biographies* References* Bibliography