First Strike

America, Terrorism, and Moral Tradition

Totten Mark

Can the use of force first against a less-than-imminent threat be both morally acceptable and consistent with American values? In this timely book, Mark Totten offers the first in-depth, historical examination of the use of preemptive and preventive force through the lens of the just war tradition. Although critical of the American incursion into Iraq as a so-called "preemptive war", Totten argues that the new terrorist threat nonetheless demands careful consideration of when the first use of force is legitimate. The moral tradition, he concludes, provides a principled way forward that reconciles American values and the demands of security.

About the Author

Mark Totten is assistant professor of law, Michigan State University College of Law.

Reviews

"Mark Totten does two things in this book: first, he provides a wonderfully learned account of the argument about pre-emption and prevention in just war theory. And then he makes a strong argument of his own for revising the standard doctrine. Theorists should pay attention; statesmen and generals, too" – Michael Walzer, Institute for Advanced Study

Back to the list of books