Strategy in the Contemporary World: An Introduction to Strategic Studies
Date
2003
Authors
Esterhuyse, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Open Journal Systems
Abstract
At first glance two aspects about the book stands out. Firstly, some of the foremost scholars in the field of strategic and security studies contributed to it. They include Colin Gray, John Baylis, John Garnette, Steven Biddle, Lawrence Freedman and Eliot Cohen. Secondly, this work covers a wide range of topics within the field of strategic studies. As the editors explain, their purpose is "to identify, update, and apply traditional concepts of strategy to an emerging security environment characterized by globalization, the information revolution, the new threats posed by international terrorism, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and a host of ethnic and regional conflict." Although the focus is on the emerging security environment it is clear that allthe contributors followed a very traditional strategic-studies approach in their discussion of these issues, which are considered in historical context by describing the intellectual, military, or political evolution of the topic. This is done in an effort to explain that some of the modem issues are indeed old concepts or even ideas discredited long ago dressed up to meet modern tastes.
Description
The original publication is available at http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub
Keywords
security studies, new threats, book review, international terrorism, spread of weapons of mass destruction, traditional strategic-studies approach
Citation
Esterhuyse, A. 2003. Strategy in the Contemporary World: An Introduction to Strategic Studies. Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, 31 (1): 124-126.