The Dynamics of Coercion
American Foreign Policy and the Limits of Military Might

This book examines why some attempts to strong-arm an adversary work while others do not.

Daniel Byman (Author), Matthew Waxman (Author)

9780521809917, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 February 2002

300 pages, 3 b/w illus. 2 tables
23.8 x 15.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.522 kg

'… this carefully researched and well-argued work will be of great interest to those concerned with the realities and specific challenges of post-Cold War UK foreign policy implementation.' Journal of Peace Research

Successful coercion should be relatively simple for the United States. Since the demise of the Soviet Union, the United States is without rivals in military might, political influence, or economic strength. Yet despite the lopsided US edge in raw power, regional foes persist in defying the threats and ultimatums brought by the United States and its allies. This book examines why some attempts to strong-arm an adversary work while others do not. It explores how coercion today differs from coercion during the Cold War. It describes the constraints on the United States emanating from the need to work within coalitions and the restrictions imposed by domestic politics, and it assesses the special challenges likely to arise when an adversary is a non-state actor or when the use of weapons of mass destruction is possible.

1. Introduction
Part I. Coercive Strategy Making: 2. The theory of coercion
3. Coercive Mechanisms
4. Coercive instruments
Part II. The Context of Coercion Today: 5. Domestic politics and coercion
6. Coercion and coalitions
7. Humanitarian coercion and non-state actors
8. Weapons of mass destruction and US coercion
Part III. The Future of US Coercion.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], International relations [JPS], Politics & government [JP], Regional studies [GTB]