Imperial nostalgia, the liberal lie, and the perils of postmodern counterinsurgency

Marshall, A. (2010) Imperial nostalgia, the liberal lie, and the perils of postmodern counterinsurgency. Small Wars and Insurgencies, 21(2), pp. 233-258. (doi: 10.1080/09592318.2010.481407)

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Publisher's URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/09592318.asp

Abstract

Since 9/11, counterinsurgency is back in fashion; the 'war on terror' has even been branded a 'global counterinsurgency'. However the context within which counterinsurgency originally arose is critical to understanding the prospects for its present success; the radically changed environment in which it is currently being conducted casts into considerable doubt the validity of the doctrine's application by many national militaries currently 'rediscovering' this school of military thought today. Above all, classical counterinsurgency was a profoundly imperial, state-centric phenomenon; consequently it only rarely faced the thorny issue of sovereignty and legitimacy which bedevils and may doom these same efforts today.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Marshall, Dr Alexander
Authors: Marshall, A.
Subjects:U Military Science > U Military Science (General)
D History General and Old World > D History (General)
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
Journal Name:Small Wars and Insurgencies
ISSN:0959-2318
ISSN (Online):1743-9558

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