Waging War on Trial: A Handbook with Cases, Laws, and Documents

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A thought provoking and engaging guide to the legal, moral, and political issues that arise when the United States goes to war. As the War on Terrorism perseveres, Americans wonder how the United States would act in a full-fledged armed conflict. Past military actions have spelled out who declares war, how dissenters are treated, and how the fortunes of U.S. citizens are affected. Will these policies still work today From the American Revolution to the Bush administration's new-type of war on terror, Waging War on Trial views warfare from a legal, social, cultural, and political standpoint. Included are Homefront debates during major hostilities, "brushfire" incidents, and how September 11th has shaped our domestic wartime policy. The battle continues today as the President and Congress tussle over who begins and ends military operations. Concerns about civil liberties, the draft, and internal security are as relevant today as during the Civil War. Questions arise on how dissenters and minorities are treated and if America can legally control the behavior of our soldiers. It's an intricate interplay between war and America's institutions.

Reviews

"The book provides a well-argued analysis of the historical evolution of conflict between branches of US government regarding war-making powers ... Highly recommended. Undergraduate, graduate, and research/faculty collections." - Choice "This handbook explores the constitutional issues related to the waging of war by the United States ... In a nonpartisan manner, Dirck explores these issues even up to the questions raised by President Bush's and Congress's actions in response to the terrorist attacks of 2001 and leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. About half of the book is composed of primary document excerpts ... This timely, well-written, and fair-minded compendium is aimed at college students, and is highly recommended for academic and public libraries." - American Libraries

Author Bio

Brian R. Dirck is assistant professor of American history at Anderson University, Anderson, IN.