Strategic culture and national ways in warfare: The British case

Abstract

The decision making process in matters of defence, is not an abstract construct based purely in the present moment but is, rather, steeped in the beliefs, biases, traditions and cultural identity of the individual country —all of which feeds into its strategic culture. Alan Macmillan here explores this process in relation to Britain's specific cultural make‐up, noting the particular influence of the traditional debate between the continental commitment and the maritime strategy, the legacy of her great power status and, finally, the effect of its political culture on defence policy. What usefully emerges from this thorough study, is that if Britain is to adequately prepare for the undoubted challenges of the future, then a detailed analysis of its strategic culture is clearly essential.