First published in 1977, British Defence Policy in a Changing World provides an analysis of the changes which have taken place in Britain’s security policies since the Second World War. Domestic political, economic, and social factors are discussed as well as the range of international circumstances which have influenced policy. The approach is essentially a thematic one, isolating several key issues and examining them in detail. The authors use their skills to study a comprehensive range of affairs relating to Britain’s security policy since 1945.
The book may be divided into four main sections. The first looks at the relationship between foreign policy and defence policy in general and more specifically at the three circles of British policy: East of Suez, the ‘special relationship’, and Europe. The second section looks at the place of nuclear weapons in defence policy. The third section is concerned with defence economics, national priorities, and the recurring dilemmas of decision-making, while the final section concentrates on issues of civil military relations and discuss public attitudes towards defence in terms of their political implications. This is a must read for scholars and researchers of international politics, British politics, defence and strategic studies.