The American Way of War in History and Politics - Professor Brian McAllister Linn

TL;DR

The American Way of War debate explores the characteristics and approach of the United States military in history and recent conflicts, sparking intense discussion among historians, military personnel, and political commentators.

Transcript

good afternoon um I greatly appreciate Gresham College's invitation to give this lecture especially thank Valerie for emailing me so many times and giving me such good directions I also want to thank the United States United Kingdom Fullbright scholar program for awarding me a distinguished professorship at the University of Birmingham and I apolog... Read More

Key Insights

• 💖 The American Way of War debate has been fueled by recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has sparked intense discussion among various groups.
• 🏕️ There is no consensus on the definition or approach to the American Way of War, with different camps focusing on different aspects and characteristics.
• 😥 The influence of the Civil War on shaping the American way of war is debated, with evidence pointing to various interpretations.
• 👶 The debate has evolved from an enthusiastic embrace of new technologies to a more critical evaluation of their effectiveness in achieving strategic goals.
• 🫱 International and comparative perspectives, as well as the marketing and perception of war, provide fertile ground for future study in the American Way of War debate.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the American Way of War?

The American Way of War refers to the characteristics and approach of the United States military, which has been debated and analyzed extensively by historians, military personnel, and political commentators.

Q: How is the American Way of War defined by different camps?

One camp focuses on the evolution of US military policy and identifies distinct characteristics, such as a propensity towards offensive operations and a separation of military and civilian responsibilities. The other camp emphasizes a technological revolution in military affairs, seeking to conduct rapid, precise, and relatively bloodless military operations.

Q: How does the Civil War relate to the American Way of War debate?

Some argue that the Civil War marked a turning point in American strategy, from a traditional method of attrition to a strategy of annihilation. However, this argument is not conclusive and disregards contradictory evidence from other conflicts.

Q: How has the debate on the American Way of War evolved over time?

Initially, there was enthusiasm for a new American way of war based on emerging technologies. However, the realities of conflicts like the global war on terror showed flaws in this approach, leading to critiques and a reevaluation of military strategy.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The American Way of War debate is highly debated and has sparked many books and articles, especially in recent years due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• The debate can be divided into two camps, one focusing on the evolution of US military policy and the other on a technological revolution in military affairs.

• The debate also explores the influence of the Civil War and other conflicts on shaping the American way of war.