War And The Engineers: The Primacy Of Politics Over Technology Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Do some technologies provoke war? Do others promote peace? Offense-defense theory contends that technological change is an important cause of conflict: leaders will be tempted to launch wars when they believe innovation favors attackers over defenders. Offense-defense theory is perhaps best known from the passionate and intricate debates about first-strike capability and deterrence stability during the cold war, but it has deeper historical roots, remains a staple in international relations theorizing, and drives modern arms control policymaking.In War and the Engineers, the first book systematically to test the logical and empirical validity of offense-defense theory, Keir A. Lieber examines the relationships among politics, technology, and the causes of war. Lieber's cases explore the military and political implications of the spread of railroads, the emergence of rifled small arms and artillery, the introduction of battle tanks, and the nuclear revolution. Lieber incorporates the new historiography of World War I, which draws on archival materials that only recently became available, to challenge many common beliefs about the conflict. The author's central conclusion is that technology is neither a cause of international conflict nor a panacea; instead, power politics remains paramount.
Series: Cornell Studies in Security Affairs
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Cornell University Press; 1 edition (October 27, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0801443830
ISBN-13: 978-0801443831
Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
Best Sellers Rank: #843,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #474 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Military Sciences #832 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Reference > History #1111 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Conventional
This is an expanded version of the argument that Lieber gave in International Security in 2000 [reprinted in Offense, Defense, and War (MIT Press, 2004)] and fills in many of the necessary gaps in that shorter article. Offense-Defense theory is all the rage in international security studies, and it, coupled with the tendency of historians of technology to (at least tacitly) subscribe to technological determinism (i.e., machines make us win or loose), has produced a mindset that emphasizes procurement over training, systems over intelligence, and 'overwhelming force' over measured responses. Whether Lieber's is the last word on the topic, I rather doubt, but it is worthwhile reading for those interested in technology and warfare both historically and looking forward.
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