Making Europe Unconquerable : The Potential of Civilian-Based Deterrence and Defence

Library Journal

Few if any scholars have devoted such attention to the questions of nonviolent action and political resistance as Sharp ( Politics of Nonviolent Action ), head of the Program on Nonviolent Sanctions at Harvard. Here he applies his ideas to contemporary Europe and offers civilian-based defense as an alternative to the dilemmas of nuclear deterrence and conventional war. Sharp argues that comprehensive civilian-based resistance could present as effective a deterrent to attack as the current military scenarios without the risk of annihilation. The argument is pragmatic, i.e., based upon the problems of nuclear deterrence, the cost of military defense, and the threat of destruction if deterrence fails. The book is an excellent reminder that we must not think about our security in terms of military policy alone. A valuable, thought-provoking work recommended for all interested in security and survival. Richard B. Finnegan, Political Science Dept., Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass.