Politics and the General in Supreme Command by Richard Adams, Hardcover, 9781032865096 | Buy online at The Nile
Departments
 Free Returns*

Politics and the General in Supreme Command

Law Reform and Averting Unjust War

Author: Richard Adams   Series: War, Conflict and Ethics

Politics and the General in Supreme Command
Hardcover

This book argues for reform of the convention that, when politicians decide on a course of action, the general in supreme command obeys without question.

Read more
New
$311.64
Or pay later with
Free 30 day returns       Secure transaction
Check delivery options
Hardcover

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

This book argues for reform of the convention that, when politicians decide on a course of action, the general in supreme command obeys without question.

Read more

Description

This book argues for reform of the convention that, when politicians decide on a course of action, the general in supreme command obeys without question.

The entire spread‑out chain of command is unified in the general, who offers the only connection between the military and politics. Offering the sole connection between the military and politics, only the general can turn political directions into military command and capacitate war. Thus, the general has unique opportunity to resist unconscionable direction to launch an unjust war or to conduct or expand war unjustly. This book argues for reform, so the general has the right in law to refuse direction which is lawful, but awful. The legal capacity to refuse would mean the general would be expected to act responsibly, not merely as the unresisting pawn of politics. Such reform, creating legal opportunity for the supreme command to refuse lawful but unconscionable directives, might avert unjust war.

This book will be of much interest to students of the ethics of war, civil‑military relations, and international relations.

Read more

Critic Reviews

'Sometimes problems are disagreeable, and it is impossible to do as one would wish. But law should offer an opportunity to decide, to act responsibly with the best intention. Speaking of the supreme command, Adams makes this case clearly.'

Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, Royal Australian Navy (ret’d) Chief of Navy 2014–2018

Read more

About the Author

Richard Adams is a commander in the Royal Australian Navy. He has doctorates from the University of Western Australia and the University of New South Wales. He was an Australian Fulbright scholar to Yale University and a visiting research fellow to the Changing Character of War programme at the University of Oxford.

Read more

Product Details

Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd | Routledge
Published
25th November 2024
Pages
164
ISBN
9781032865096

Returns

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.

New
$311.64
Or pay later with
Free 30 day returns       Secure transaction
Check delivery options
Browse by category
YOUR PAYMENT IS SECURE

We use 100% PCI DSS compliant payment services. That means your payment information is always protected, and never gets seen by anyone.
30-DAY FREE RETURN POLICY

Return nearly all items within 30 days of delivery. Unused or faulty items are acceptable as free returns. *Exceptions apply, see our returns policy.

The Nile
Follow Us
Help & Support
Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 The Nile Group.

Zip

 AfterPay

PayPal

Credit Card
Buy Baby at The Nile
 
 
 
Buy Toys at The Nile
Buy Books at The Nile
Buy Movies & TV at The Nile
Our Top Brands