US Defense Politics

Product DescriptionThis new textbook seeks to explain how US defense and national security policy is formulated and conducted. The focus is on the role of the President, Congress, political partisans, defense industries, lobbies, science, the media, and interest groups, including the military itself, in shaping policies. It examines the following key themes:US grand strategy;who joins America's military;how and why weapons are bought;the management of defense;public attitudes toward the military and casualties;the roles of the President and the Congress in controlling the military;the effects of 9/11 on security policy, homeland security, government reorganizations, and intra- and inter-service relations.The book shows how political and organizational interests determine US defense policy, and warns against the introduction of centralising reforms. In emphasizing the process of defense policy-making, rather than just the outcomes of that process, this book signals a departure from the style of many existing textbooks.Review'An excellent and useful overview of the formulation of strategy at its most practical level ... The authors deserve praise for their clear and concise prose, and for including useful features like lists of recommended reading at the end of every chapter and short biographical sketches of the giants of American defence policy.' - Canadian International Council's International Journal, Summer 2010, 789‘In US Defense Politics, [the authors] look into politics affecting our national defense... The fact that each of the 12 chapters includes questions for discussion and recommendations for additional reading makes it a valuable tool for mentors who are developing the leaders of tomorrow.’ - SSgt Justin N. Theriot, USAF, in Air & Space Power JournalAbout the AuthorHarvey M. Sapolsky is Professor of Public Policy and Organization in the Department of Political Science, MIT, and former Director of the MIT Security Studies Program.Eugene Gholz is Associate Professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin.Caitlin Talmadge is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science, MIT.
Author: Caitlin Talmadge

Publisher: Routledge

Binding: Paperback

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0415772664

ISBN-13: 9780415772662