Description

Book Synopsis
America has been at war for most of the 20th and 21st centuries and during that time has progressively moved towards a vicarious form of warfare, where key tasks are delegated to proxies, the military’s exposure to danger is limited, and special forces and covert instruments are on the increase. Important strategic decisions are taken with minimal scrutiny or public engagement. This compelling account charts the historical emergence of this distinctive tradition of war and explains the factors driving its contemporary prominence. It contrasts the tactical advantages of vicarious warfare with its hidden costs and potential to cause significant strategic harm.

Table of Contents
Introduction: The Alchemy of War; PART I: Historical Background; 1. A Vicarious Instinct; 2. Perversions of Power; PART II: American Experiences; 3. Ambivalent Beginnings; 4. Cold Warfare; PART III: Contemporary Dynamics; 5. Drivers; 6. Emergence; 7. Consequences; Conclusions.

Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy and the

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    A Paperback / softback by Thomas Waldman

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      Book details

      Publisher Bristol University Press
      Published 10 January 2023
      ISBN-13 9781529207002
      978-1529207002
      ISBN-10 1529207002
      Also in:
      Politics, Philosophy & Society International relations Theory of warfare and military science War and defence operations

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      America has been at war for most of the 20th and 21st centuries and during that time has progressively moved towards a vicarious form of warfare, where key tasks are delegated to proxies, the military’s exposure to danger is limited, and special forces and covert instruments are on the increase. Important strategic decisions are taken with minimal scrutiny or public engagement. This compelling account charts the historical emergence of this distinctive tradition of war and explains the factors driving its contemporary prominence. It contrasts the tactical advantages of vicarious warfare with its hidden costs and potential to cause significant strategic harm.

      Table of Contents
      Introduction: The Alchemy of War; PART I: Historical Background; 1. A Vicarious Instinct; 2. Perversions of Power; PART II: American Experiences; 3. Ambivalent Beginnings; 4. Cold Warfare; PART III: Contemporary Dynamics; 5. Drivers; 6. Emergence; 7. Consequences; Conclusions.

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