The Implications of Preemptive and Preventive War Doctrines

Gray, Professor Emeritus Of Strategic Studies Colin S

ISBN 10: 128824598X / ISBN 13: 9781288245987

Published by Bibliogov, 2012

About this Item

Print on Demand pp. 74.

Seller Inventory # 393459833

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Implications of Preemptive and Preventive War Doctrines
• Publisher: Bibliogov
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 128824598X
• ISBN 13: 9781288245987
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Preemption and prevention are different concepts. To preempt is to attempt to strike first against an enemy who is in the process of preparing, or is actually launching, an attack against you. Preemption is not controversial. The decision for war has been taken out of your hands. Prevention, however, is a decision to wage war, or conduct a strike, so as to prevent a far more dangerous context maturing in the future. To decide on preventive war is to elect to prevent a particular, very threatening strategic future from coming to pass. Despite much legal argument, there is no legal difficulty with either concept. The UN Charter, with its recognition of the inherent right of sovereign states to self-defense, as generally interpreted around the world does not require a victim or target state to suffer the first blow. To strike preventively in self-defense is legal, though it will usually be controversial. Preventive war is simply war, distinguishable only by its timing, and possibly its motivation.

About the Author

COLIN S. GRAY is Professor of International Politics and Strategic Studies at the University of Reading, England. A graduate of the Universities of Manchester and Oxford, Dr. Gray worked at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (London), and at Hudson Institute (Croton-on-Hudson, NY), before founding a defense-oriented think tank in the Washington area, the National Institute for Public Policy.