Political Theory

This erudite book will be of value to anyone interested in either military strategy or political ideology. It is extensively researched and draws heavily on primary sources in several languages. A concise writing style allows the author to cover significant philosophical and strategic territory in limited space. Controversial issues directly tackled include the appeal of fascism as modernity challenged existing social and political structures. Also controversial is the detailed and ultimately complimentary analysis of the strategic writings of Liddell Hart whose pronouncements were frequently strongly criticized. In tackling these issues even-handedly Gat mounts a persuasive argument and then in the next instance reverses direction and demonstrates equally persuasively the fallacies of the original argument. The account of fascist views of war is stronger than the account of liberal views. Fascist ideas seemed to be largely consensual while the in-depth discussion of Liddell Hart’s trials and tribulations suggests that there is little that holds liberal thought together as it pertains to war. Near the end of the book Gat argues that Liddell Hart’s thought was consistent with the deeper strains of liberalism. But this central contention is undermined by the unpopularity of Liddell Hart’s views during much of his career.