Ballistic Missile Defense and the Future of American Security: Agendas, Perceptions, Technology, and Policy
Type
Book
Authors
ISBN 13
9780275970093
Category
358.1 Other specialized Forces and Services
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Publication Year
2002
Publisher
Pages
254
Subject
Ballistic missile defenses -- United States; National security -- United States; United States -- Military policy;
Tags
Description
American politicians have long been troubled by the question of whether or not to deploy a national missile defense system. The argument has focused upon the questions of cost, both political and fiscal, plus the reliability of the technologies. This study places that debate within the context of an ongoing controversy over the direction of American foreign and defense policy since the 1950s. Since that time several distinct worldviews (labeled Believers, Pragmatists, and Wilsonians) have been articulated, views which predetermine decision-makers' positions on national missile defense. Those worldviews structure how technology tests and costs are evaluated regardless of outcomes. Politics, not technological proficiency, drives policy decisions.In effect, the debate has been a dialogue of the deaf and blind wherein each perceives only that which fits their predetermined views. This controversy raises questions regarding the use of deterrence as the basis for national policy and the role of technology in making such decisions. Handberg places this debate within the historical flow of events, dating back to the first inkling that national missile defense might be possible. The arrival of the George W. Bush administration moves national missile defense to the forefront with the question of deployment now considered a near reality. - from Amzon
Biblio Notes
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction ..............................................................p. 1
Chapter 2 Ballistic Missile Defense, Still Trying after All These Years p. 37
Chapter 3 Breakdown of the Old Verities .......................................p. 75
Chapter 4 Why Missile Defense? .......................................................p. 109
Chapter 5 Agreeing on NMD or Not? ...............................................p. 143
Chapter 6 Deployment Options or Guessing about the Shape of
Things to Come ..............................................................................p. 169
Chapter 7 Pursuing Future Policy or Taking Counsel of One's
Worst Fears ..............................................................................p. 207
Selected References ...............................................................p. 241
Index ...............................................................................p. 247
Chapter 1 Introduction ..............................................................p. 1
Chapter 2 Ballistic Missile Defense, Still Trying after All These Years p. 37
Chapter 3 Breakdown of the Old Verities .......................................p. 75
Chapter 4 Why Missile Defense? .......................................................p. 109
Chapter 5 Agreeing on NMD or Not? ...............................................p. 143
Chapter 6 Deployment Options or Guessing about the Shape of
Things to Come ..............................................................................p. 169
Chapter 7 Pursuing Future Policy or Taking Counsel of One's
Worst Fears ..............................................................................p. 207
Selected References ...............................................................p. 241
Index ...............................................................................p. 247
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1
