Agency and Ethics

The Politics of Military Intervention

By Anthony F. Lang Jr. | Publisher: State University of New York Press

About the book

Why does political conflict seem to consistently interfere with attempts to provide aid, end ethnic discord, or restore democracy? To answer this question, Agency and Ethics examines how the norms that originally motivate an intervention often create conflict between the intervening powers, outside powers, and the political agents who are the victims of the intervention. Three case studies are drawn upon to illustrate this phenomena: the British and American intervention in Bolshevik Russia in 1918; the British and French intervention in Egypt in 1956; and the American and United Nations intervention in Somalia in 1993. Although rarely categorized together, these three interventions shared at least one strong commonality: all failed to achieve their professed goals, with the troops being ignominiously recalled in each example. Lang concludes by addressing the dilemma of how to resolve complex humanitarian emergencies in the twenty-first century without the necessity of resorting to military intervention.

Editions of Agency and Ethics

Hardcover
ISBN 9780791451359
Paperback
ISBN 9780791451366
PDF
ISBN 9780791489772

Read an Excerpt

Why does political conflict seem to consistently interfere with attempts to provide aid, end ethnic discord, or restore democracy? To answer this question, Agency and Ethics examines how the norms that originally motivate an intervention often create conflict between the intervening powers, outside powers, and the political agents who are the victims of the intervention. Three case studies are drawn upon to illustrate this phenomena: the British and American intervention in Bolshevik Russia in 1918; the British and French intervention in Egypt in 1956; and the American and United Nations intervention in Somalia in 1993. Although rarely categorized together, these three interventions shared at least one strong commonality: all failed to achieve their professed goals, with the troops being ignominiously recalled in each example. Lang concludes by addressing the dilemma of how to resolve complex humanitarian emergencies in the twenty-first century without the necessity of resorting to military intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Agency and Ethics about?

Why does political conflict seem to consistently interfere with attempts to provide aid, end ethnic discord, or restore democracy? To answer this question, Agency and Ethics examines how the norms that originally motivate an intervention often create conflict between the intervening powers, outside powers, and the political agents who are the victims of the intervention. Three case studies are drawn upon to illustrate this phenomena: the British and American intervention in Bolshevik Russia in 1918; the British and French intervention in Egypt in 1956; and the American and United Nations intervention in Somalia in 1993. Although rarely categorized together, these three interventions shared at least one strong commonality: all failed to achieve their professed goals, with the troops being ignominiously recalled in each example. Lang concludes by addressing the dilemma of how to resolve complex humanitarian emergencies in the twenty-first century without the necessity of resorting to military intervention.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Agency and Ethics?

Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > International relations

Where can I read a sample of Agency and Ethics?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780791451359

How long is Agency and Ethics and how many pages does it have?

Agency and Ethics has 266 page(s)

Is Agency and Ethics part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series SUNY series in Global Politics

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Agency and Ethics?

Anthony F. Lang Jr.

Who is the Publisher of the book Agency and Ethics?

State University of New York Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Agency and Ethics is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780791451359) and paperback(ISBN 9780791451366) and pdf(ISBN 9780791489772)

Where can I buy Agency and Ethics online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Agency and Ethics?