The Diffusion of Military Power examines how the financial and
organizational challenges of adopting new methods of fighting wars can
influence the international balance of power. Michael Horowitz argues
that a state or actor wishing to adopt a military innovation must
possess both the financial resources to buy or build the technology
and the internal organizational capacity to accommodate any necessary
changes in recruiting, training, or operations. How countries react to
new innovations--and to other actors that do or don't adopt them--has
profound implications for the global order and the likelihood of war.
Horowitz looks at some of the most important military innovations
throughout history, including the advent of the all-big-gun steel
battleship, the development of aircraft carriers and nuclear weapons,
and the use of suicide terror by nonstate actors. He shows how
expensive innovations can favor wealthier, more powerful countries,
but also how those same states often stumble when facing
organizationally complicated innovations. Innovations requiring major
upheavals in doctrine and organization can disadvantage the wealthiest
states due to their bureaucratic inflexibility and weight the balance
of power toward smaller and more nimble actors, making conflict more
likely. This book provides vital insights into military innovations
and their impact on U.S. foreign policy, warfare, and the distribution
of power in the international system.
Les mer
Causes and Consequences for International Politics
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781400835102
Publisert
2013
Utgiver
Vendor
Princeton University Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Antall sider
264
Forfatter