The militarisation of British democracy : the Iraq and Afghan Wars and the rise of authoritarianism / Paul Dixon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dixon, Paul, 1964- author.

Series:

Advances in critical military studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Afghan War, 2001-2021--Participation, British.

Afghan War, 2001-2021.

Iraq War, 2003-2011--Participation, British.

Iraq War, 2003-2011.

Militarization--Great Britain--History--21st century.

Militarization.

Great Britain--History, Military--21st century.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 362 pages) : illustrations.

Other Title:

Militarization of British democracy

Place of Publication:

Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press, [2025]

Summary:

"This book argues that the pursuit of war and the further militarisation of British democracy since 9/11 has led the UK into a permanent state of war and made the nation particularly prone to military aggression rather than managing conflict through negotiation. Within NATO, Britain is among the most belligerent nations ratcheting up military expenditure and the use of violence to manage conflict. The militarisation of British (and Western) states and authoritarian values have been manufactured to provide domestic support for permanent war. Failure in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Ukraine and the Middle East has not reduced confidence in the use of military aggression as NATO seeks confrontation in a ‘New Cold War’ between ‘democracy’ and ‘authoritarian’ Russia and China. Paradoxically, Britain and the West’s militarisation proposes to destroy democracy in order to save it, and to provide authoritarian states with the excuse to become more authoritarian"-- De Gruyter Brill.

Contents:

The failure of the ruling class

The conservative-authoritarian politics of the military

The power of the security state and the failure of authoritarianism

The authoritarian temptation : The militarist coalition and the dominant military narrative

The militarisation offensive : Crisis, moral panic and military power

Ground truth? The strategy of optimism and the culture of silence

'A grand strategic error' : The military's pursuit of the 'bad' war in Iraq

The Iraq war : Fighting with the Americans

'Don't ask, don't tell, just do it' : The British military invades southern Afghanistan

'Shedding blood' in Afghanistan : Politicians in power?

Forever wars : Military power, the conservatives and authoritarian populism

Conclusion : A militarised democracy fighting America's wars.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (De Gruyter Brill, viewed October 31, 2025).

Other Format:

Print version: Dixon, Paul, 1964- Militarisation of British democracy

ISBN:

9781399536608

1399536605

9781399536592

1399536591

OCLC:

1528630971

Publisher Number:

CIPO000252933

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license