Peering Over the Cliff

<p>This study attempts to determine if there are adequate existing guidelines for today's statesmen to use when they contemplate war. The author first develops a theoretical foundation for understanding the character of an approaching war. The character of a war includes a nation's motives for war as well as their connection to national interests. After establishing the foundation the study surveys the existing guidelines from the Weinberger Doctrine of 1984 to the present. Common themes and major differences are highlighted. The guidelines as a whole are evaluated for strengths and weaknesses and then compared to the theoretical foundations previously formed. Certain requirements are culled from the examination and applied to a proposed new set of guidelines. These are designed to add the theoretical foundation missing from today's guidance for statesmen considering war. The new set uses questions designed to help statesmen find an answer rather than prescribe one to them. Finally potential criticisms to the guidance are addressed.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>