James Strong is a Fellow in Foreign Policy Analysis and International Relations in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics, UK.

‘Strong’s book is excellent, pushing our understanding of the relationship between public opinion and foreign policy in novel directions. The research is rigorous and well-grounded in theory and methods. I highly recommend it, to scholars, students, and any readers interested in democratic politics, British foreign policy, or the legitimacy of international interventions.’ - Juliet Kaarbo, Professor, Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh, UK ‘Strong provides a well written, closely argued book which is essential reading for students of British politics and academics alike.’ - Victoria Honeyman, Lecturer in British Politics, University of Leeds, UK

• Dramatis Personae1 Introduction: Understanding a controversial war Structure Part One: Public opinion 2 British public influence over foreign policySearching for the Loch Ness Monster A constructivist approach 3 The Iraq debate: An overviewRallying round the flagPockets of supportSalience and communication Part Two: Legitimacy4 Understanding legitimacyLegitimacy as a discursive constructStudying the Blair government’s discursive legitimization effortsCategorizing the debate 5 Threat and WMD JudgementNuanceEvidence 6 Legality and the UN Defining the UN’s roleProcedural ambiguitiesClashing timetables 7 Morality and regime change Understanding Tony BlairLegality and moralityRegime change 8 Politics and authorityThe ‘special relationship’Blaming FranceDomestic politicsPart Three: Tony Blair’s war in Iraq9 Aftermath Reality asserts itselfDavid KellyThe 2005 General Election 10 ImplicationsSelling the Iraq warA holistic approachA two-level debate

James Strong is a Fellow in Foreign Policy Analysis and International Relations in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics, UK.

‘Strong’s book is excellent, pushing our understanding of the relationship between public opinion and foreign policy in novel directions. The research is rigorous and well-grounded in theory and methods. I highly recommend it, to scholars, students, and any readers interested in democratic politics, British foreign policy, or the legitimacy of international interventions.’ - Juliet Kaarbo, Professor, Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh, UK ‘Strong provides a well written, closely argued book which is essential reading for students of British politics and academics alike.’ - Victoria Honeyman, Lecturer in British Politics, University of Leeds, UK

• Dramatis Personae1 Introduction: Understanding a controversial war Structure Part One: Public opinion 2 British public influence over foreign policySearching for the Loch Ness Monster A constructivist approach 3 The Iraq debate: An overviewRallying round the flagPockets of supportSalience and communication Part Two: Legitimacy4 Understanding legitimacyLegitimacy as a discursive constructStudying the Blair government’s discursive legitimization effortsCategorizing the debate 5 Threat and WMD JudgementNuanceEvidence 6 Legality and the UN Defining the UN’s roleProcedural ambiguitiesClashing timetables 7 Morality and regime change Understanding Tony BlairLegality and moralityRegime change 8 Politics and authorityThe ‘special relationship’Blaming FranceDomestic politicsPart Three: Tony Blair’s war in Iraq9 Aftermath Reality asserts itselfDavid KellyThe 2005 General Election 10 ImplicationsSelling the Iraq warA holistic approachA two-level debate

James Strong is a Fellow in Foreign Policy Analysis and International Relations in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics, UK.

‘Strong’s book is excellent, pushing our understanding of the relationship between public opinion and foreign policy in novel directions. The research is rigorous and well-grounded in theory and methods. I highly recommend it, to scholars, students, and any readers interested in democratic politics, British foreign policy, or the legitimacy of international interventions.’ - Juliet Kaarbo, Professor, Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh, UK ‘Strong provides a well written, closely argued book which is essential reading for students of British politics and academics alike.’ - Victoria Honeyman, Lecturer in British Politics, University of Leeds, UK

• Dramatis Personae1 Introduction: Understanding a controversial war Structure Part One: Public opinion 2 British public influence over foreign policySearching for the Loch Ness Monster A constructivist approach 3 The Iraq debate: An overviewRallying round the flagPockets of supportSalience and communication Part Two: Legitimacy4 Understanding legitimacyLegitimacy as a discursive constructStudying the Blair government’s discursive legitimization effortsCategorizing the debate 5 Threat and WMD JudgementNuanceEvidence 6 Legality and the UN Defining the UN’s roleProcedural ambiguitiesClashing timetables 7 Morality and regime change Understanding Tony BlairLegality and moralityRegime change 8 Politics and authorityThe ‘special relationship’Blaming FranceDomestic politicsPart Three: Tony Blair’s war in Iraq9 Aftermath Reality asserts itselfDavid KellyThe 2005 General Election 10 ImplicationsSelling the Iraq warA holistic approachA two-level debate