Full Description
Based on a detailed analysis of archives and high level interviews this book looks at the role of beliefs, culture and identity in the making of British nuclear policy from 1945 through to the present day. This book also examines Britain's nuclear experience by moving away from traditional interpretations of why states develop and maintain nuclear weapons by adopting a more contemporary approach to political theory.
Traditional mainstream explanations tend to stress the importance of factors such as the 'maximization of power', the pursuit of 'national security interests' and the role of 'structure' in a largely anarchic international system. This book does not dismiss these approaches, but argues that British experience suggests that focusing on 'beliefs', 'culture' and 'identity', provides a more useful insight and distinctive interpretation into the process of British nuclear decision making than the more traditional approaches.
Contents
Introduction ; 1. The Emergence of a Deterrence 'Habit of Mind' ; 2. The Chiefs of Staff, Nuclear Weapons and Global Strategy ; 3. From Atomic Weapons to Thermonuclear Weapons ; 4. Forging the 'Special' Anglo-American Nuclear Relationship ; 5. Polaris, Independence and Interdependence ; 6. The Polaris Improvement Programme and Chevaline ; 7. The Polaris Replacement Debate under Labour ; 8. The Adoption of Trident ; 9. NATO Modernization Plans, SDI and the End of the Cold War ; 10. Trident Replacement/Renewal: From 'New Labour' to the Coalition Government ; Conclusion
