Justifying ballistic missile defence : technology, security and culture

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Title:

Justifying ballistic missile defence : technology, security and culture

Author:

Peoples, Columba.

ISBN:

9780521113298

9780521130417

Personal Author:

Peoples, Columba.

Publication Information:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Physical Description:

xi, 299 p. ; 23 cm.

Series:

Cambridge studies in international relations ; 112

Contents:

Critical theory, security and technology -- Technology and common sense in America -- Defence in the missile age? -- Post-war missile defence and the language of technological fears -- The Strategic Defense Initiative and America's technological heritage -- 'Star Wars' and technological determinism -- Ballistic missile defence : 'technology, working for you now' -- The iron cage of proliferation.

Subject Term:

Ballistic missile defenses.

Ballistic missile defenses -- Political aspects.

Ballistic missile defenses -- United States.

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168025459401	358.17 R445J 2010	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Technology is championed as the solution to modern security problems, but also blamed as their cause. This book assesses the way in which these two views collide in the debate over ballistic missile defence: a complex, costly and controversial system intended to defend the United States from nuclear missile attacks. Columba Peoples shows how, in the face of strong scientific and strategic critique, advocates of missile defence seek to justify its development by reference to broader culturally embedded perceptions of the promises and perils of technological development. Unpacking the assumptions behind the justification of missile defence initiatives, both past and present, this book illustrates how common-sense understandings of technology are combined and used to legitimate this controversial and costly defence programme. In doing so it engages fundamental debates over understandings of technological development, human agency and the relationship between technology and security.