The Development of British Defence Policy: Blair, Brown and Beyond

Britain's military forces have rarely been busier. It is therefore crucial to understand the developing trends and underlying assumptions of British Defence Policy, in regard to both foreign policy and international security. This volume, which covers both the Blair and Brown eras in defence policy making, places developments post 11 September in a wider context, assessing the impact of key personalities and events on a range of issues, notably the perennial concern of military overstretch. By critically appraising contemporary developments, and examining the driving policy in specific cases, this volume provides a relevant and up-to-date assessment of this vital policy area. As well as being contemporary in its analysis, the work is also comprehensive in scope, embracing both policy objectives - such as the expeditionary strategy and the desire to be a bridge between the US and EU - and the instruments that underpin such policy.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction: New Labour and defence, David Brown; Permanent allies or friends with benefits? The Anglo-American security relationship, James Sperling; Blair, Brown and Brussels: the European turn in British defence policy, Alistair J.K. Shepherd; 'A world full of terror to the British mind': the Blair doctrine and British defence policy, Steven Haines; Britain and the politics of counter-terrorism: the 2002 new chapter and beyond, David Brown; Securing stability, ensuring change: British defence policy in Northern Ireland, Trevor C. Salmon; Defence policy and the 'joined up government' agenda: defining the limits of the 'comprehensive approach', Stuart Gordon; MoD PLC: New Labour, managerialism, marketisation and the privatisation of British defence policy, Stephen Deakin; New Labour's governance of the British Army, Anthony Forster; The UK and nuclear weapons, Martin A. Smith; An instrument of honour? Britain's military strategy and the impact of new technologies, Michael Codner; Striking a balance? Labour's legacy and the next chapter of British defence policy, David Brown; Index.

About the Author :
Dr David Brown, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK

Review :
'This book provides a welcome, comprehensive, and clearly written analysis of the key directions of defence policy during the premiership of Tony Blair. It will enhance understanding of a policy area which acquired special significance due to the military operations undertaken by the British in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.' Paul Robinson, University of Ottawa, Canada '...a thorough examination of British defence policy under New Labour at a time when the ’war on terror’ approaches its second decade and the nature, role and utility of the UK military instrument is under intense scrutiny. Severe constraints on public finances will force difficult choices in defence policy that will benefit immeasurably from the clear analysis this book provides.' Nick Ritchie, University of Bradford, UK '... invaluable for the expert audience... All of the twelve chapters are well-researched, strongly argued and informative. ... The Development of British Defence Policy is surely set to be a fixture on the reading lists of those studying British foreign policy, military strategy or British politics. Additionally, the contributions of Forster, Deakin and Haines are likely to be of interest to the more general reader.' British Politics and Policy at LSE blog