TY - JOUR PY - 1989// TI - In-Depth Defense: A Scenario for the US Military Structure JO - Journal of peace research A1 - Fish, D. S. SP - 307 EP - 317 VL - 26 IS - 3 N2 - The article presents an alternative defensive structure for the United States. Operating within the ideas offered by Johan Galtung in his research on transcendence of nuclear deterrence through transarmament, a plausible course of action is outlined. The process of transarmament would provide both superpowers with the means to escape their respective nuclear-dependent military doctrines. While this paper is only a thumbnail sketch of a paradigmatic shift from offensive to defensive national perceptions, its systemic orientation does suggest that transarmament is a possible future. It is a future whereby the US can increase world stability with little risk to its own legitimate national interests. The cost is in surrendering the role of world policeman. As a process of transcending offensive foreign policies, its strength lies in an increase in citizen participation and a total rejection of offensive strategies and weapon systems. The military will be structured to include both a Civil Defense (with a non-violent functional capability) and local militia (citizen soldiers). This deepening of policy-making will reinforce the other changes necessary for a defensively oriented and invulnerable country. The former is vital for the rest of the world and the latter is necessary for the self-interests of the US.

LA - SN - 0022-3433 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022343389026003007 ID - ref1 ER -