British Grand Strategy in the Age of American Hegemony

Inbunden, Engelska, 2024

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Beskrivning

Is the United Kingdom capable of grand strategy? Common wisdom suggests otherwise. Some think it implausible amid the maelstrom of domestic politics, while others believe the UK lacks the necessary autonomy, as a cog in the US-led order. British Grand Strategy in the Age of American Hegemony challenges these claims. William D. James contends that grand strategy is an unavoidable part of governing. Grand strategy is the highest level of national security decision-making, encompassing judgements over a state's overarching objectives and interests, as well as its security environment and resource base. Getting these decisions 'right' is vital in moments of geopolitical flux. Employing several historical case studies between 1940-2003 and marshalling a host of primary sources, James argues that British politicians and officials have thought in grand strategic terms under American hegemony - even if they do not realise or admit to this. He also demonstrates that the role of allies in shaping British grand strategy has been overstated. Finally, James highlights the conditions under which domestic political actors can influence grand strategic decision-making. Written for practitioners as well as scholars, the book concludes with several policy recommendations at this inflection point in British history.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2024-02-01
Mått:160 x 240 x 20 mm
Vikt:572 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:272
Förlag:OUP OXFORD
ISBN:9780198896609

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Mer om författaren

Dr William D. James is a Research Fellow in the Centre for Grand Strategy at King's College London and a Senior Associate of the Oxford Changing Character of War Centre. He has previously held fellowships at MIT, Harvard, and the University of Notre Dame. William earned a DPhil in International Relations from the University of Oxford. Beyond his academic publishing, he writes for outlets such as War on the Rocks and Engelsberg Ideas. William has also contributed evidence to three parliamentary inquiries on British foreign policy. In 2020, he won RUSI's Trench Gascoigne Prize for original writing on defence and security.

Recensioner i media

Dr James has succeeded in producing a lucidly written and erudite study of the good, the bad, and the ugly in British grand strategy from 1940 to 2003. This absorbing book makes a major contribution to debates on the concept of grand strategy and busts some of the myths associated with this important period in recent British history. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in the UK's place in the world. On the evidence of this authoritative and insightful study, James has established himself as one of the brightest rising stars in strategic studies.

Innehållsförteckning

1: Introduction 2: In search of the holy grail: the meaning of grand strategy 3: 'An underall strategic concept': British grand strategy and the 'second front' decision 4: 'The most momentous shift in our foreign policy for a century and a half': British grand strategy and the 'East of Suez' decision(s) 5: Paying 'the blood price': British grand strategy and the decision to join the US-led war in Iraq 6: Conclusion Appendices Bibliography