British Security Policy

This book, first published in 1991, examines Britain's defence and foreign policy of the 1980s , and explores a variety of alternative roles for Britain in the radically changed circumstances of the 1990s. The authors analyse the full range of major British security issues and developments, including the use of force and the role of conventional forces, the significance of the Anglo-American special relationship, relations with Europe, the Third World and the Soviet Union, and the unique problem of Northern Ireland. They particularly address the question of whether international policy in 'the Thatcher years' has marked a decisive break with earlier post-war policy or has rather been marked by shifts of emphasis within an essentially stable framework.

Stuart Croft

1. Introduction Stuart Croft Part 1. Military Security Issues 2. Challenges to the Nuclear Orthodoxy David H. Dunn 3. Conventional Forces Colin McInnes 4. The Use of Force Christoph Bluth Part 2. Wider Security Questions 5. From Conformity to Confrontation: Arms Control Mark Hoffman 6. The Costs of Defence Paul Laurent 7. Policies Towards Northern Ireland Ian Kearns Part 3. Areas of Foreign Policy 8. Nostalgic Isolationism: Policies Towards Europe Philip Acton and Simon Crowe 9. The Anglo-American Security Relationship Wyn Rees 10. Perceptions of the Soviet Threat Nicholas J. Wheeler 11. Relations with the South Joanna Spear Part 4. Conclusion 12. Stock-Taking after the Cold War Stuart Croft