Nuclear Mentalities? : Strategies and Belief-systems in Britain, France and the FRG

Concepts associated with nuclear strategy often go beyond any 'objective' logic of deterrence. Nuclear weapons have special roles in different national belief-systems, myths surround them, they have catalysed tensions already existing in societies, become symbols of power or of past sins. This book delves into the conscious and subconscious beliefs in Britain, France and the Federal Republic of Germany (all voiced in debates about nuclear strategy) about society, the State and power structures, each country's place in the world, the international system, allies and enemies Concepts associated with nuclear strategy often go beyond any "objective" logic of deterrence. Nuclear weapons have special roles in different national belief systems; myths surround them, they have catalyzed tensions already existing in societies, and they've become symbols of power or of past sins. This book delves into the conscious and subconscious beliefs in Britain, France and the Federal Republic of Germany (all voiced in debates about nuclear strategy) about society, the State and power structures, each country's place in the world, the international system, allies, and enemies. This book shows that political culture, values and beliefs taking the form of belief-systems or logically less coherent belief-clusters that have grown over many years, are central to understanding nuclear strategy preferences, and that it is often pointless to surmise another country's 'national interest' without a deep understanding of these factors. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction: Nuclear Mentalities — Meaning What?....Pages 1-2 Britain: Knights, Merchants and Protesters....Pages 3-74 France: The Nuclear Monarchy....Pages 75-178 The Federal Republic of Germany: Sin and Redemption....Pages 179-259 Comparisons and Conclusions....Pages 260-268 Back Matter....Pages 269-277