In Pursuit of British Public Support for the Next War
Abstract
Public support, as indicated by polling, for the War in Afghanistan deteriorated significantly from 2006 to 2011. This paper asks why there has been a drop in public support and what must be done to secure public support for the next war. This paper examines the Falklands War and the War in Afghanistan as case studies to determine where public support can be won or lost and examines the effects of the National Security Strategy, the media, and combat casualties for future wars. This paper argues that, following the UK experience in Afghanistan, the British people will no longer blindly or indefinitely support our wars and public support must be earned and managed by Her Majesty's Government. The British people will demand an understanding of the war aims, the costs in "blood and treasure," the legal basis for the war, and its duration. This paper will conclude that British society has become so averse to protracted war that, without management of public support, future wars that become protracted will no longer be practicable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA545642
Entities
People
- Darren J. Denning
Organizations
- National Defense University