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As a concept, deterrence has launched a thousand books and articles. It has dominated Western strategic thinking for more than four decades. In this important and groundbreaking new book, Lawrence Freedman develops a distinctive approach to the evaluation of deterrence as both a state of mind and a strategic option. This approach is applied to post-cold war crisis management, and the utility and relevance of the concept is addressed in relation to US strategic practice post-9/11, particularly in the light of the apparent preference of the Bush Administration for the alternative concept of pre-emption.


The study of deterrence has been hampered by the weight of the intellectual baggage accumulated since the end of the Second World War. Exaggerated notions of what deterrence might achieve were developed, only to be to knocked down by academic critique. In this book, Freedman charts the evolution of the contemporary concept of deterrence, and discusses whether - and how - it still has relevance in today's world. He considers constructivist as well as realist approaches and draws on criminological as well as strategic studies literature to develop a concept of a norms-based, as opposed to an interest-based, deterrence. This book will be essential reading for students of politics and international relations as well as all those interested in contemporary strategic thought.

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The concept of deterrence dominated western strategic thinking for over four decades, so much so that every strategic move was made with reference to its requirements. Yet now it appears confined to the margins. This important and groundbreaking new book charts the rise and fall of the contemporary concept of deterrence and discusses whether and how it has relevance in the modern world. The book develops a distinctive approach to the evaluation of deterrence as both a state of mind and a strategic option. Deterrence poses analytical problems, because it can take a variety of forms--punishment or denial, general or immediate, extended and existential. At the same time, it can serve as a strategy of those attempting to deter, a description of a relationship in which deterrence is taking place, and the state of mind of one who feels deterred. The book concludes by examining post-cold-war crisis management and addressing the utility and relevance of the concept in relation to U.S. strategic practice after 9/11, particularly in light of the apparent preference of th

Lawrence Freedman is Professor of War Studies and Vice-Principal (Research) of King's College London