The Chickenhawk Syndrome: War, Sacrifice, and Personal Responsibility

New
Hardcover
2009
$65.53

The book treats the compelling question of war and personal responsibility in contemporary America. Cheyney Ryan examines how Americans often support modern warfare but have zero interest in fighting themselves (hence, the 'chickenhawk syndrome,' where one who champions war seeks to avoid any personal sacrifice). Ryan seeks to show how we must come to terms with our understanding and valuing of war when we ourselves are not committed to fighting in it.

Synopsis

The book treats the compelling question of war and personal responsibility in contemporary America. Cheyney Ryan examines how Americans often support modern warfare but have zero interest in fighting themselves (hence, the 'chickenhawk syndrome,' where one who champions war seeks to avoid any personal sacrifice). Ryan seeks to show how we must come to terms with our understanding and valuing of war when we ourselves are not committed to fighting in it.

$65.53

Quantity

6 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 217
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Published: 28 Apr 2009
ISBN 10: 0742565033
ISBN 13: 9780742565036

Media Reviews

Cheyney Ryan has written an eloquent and passionate argument about the basic responsibilities of citizens when their country goes to war: if you aren't prepared to fight it yourself, or commend fighting to your loved ones, you should not support the war. In an era where devastating attacks can be launched and executed by remote control, and no draft exists to spread the burdens of service, it is all too easy to back killing with no risk and no sacrifice. Ryan's book is a crucial philosophical examination of democratic citizenship and just war theory. -- David J. Luban, Georgetown University Law Center
Ryan shows persuasively why someone who vigorously and publicly endorses a war and its sacrifices while diligently and successfully avoiding such sacrifices for himself and his family lacks the essential constituents of moral integrity: steadfastness, mindfulness, and forthrightness. While surveying the deep moral casualness of the decision to go to war in Iraq, Ryan names and shames enough contemporary American hypocrites and freeloaders to infuriate many culprits in both political parties. An extraordinary combination of political analysis and philosophical analysis, this study is grounded in American history and conveyed in contemporary anecdotes about shamelessness that often leave the reader unsure whether to laugh at our recent follies, weep for our future, or both. I hope this devastating book makes people angry enough to adopt the Murtha test it recommends. -- Henry Shue, University of Oxford
This is a well-written book on an important topic. Recommended. * CHOICE, February 2010 *
Many who supported our recent wars avoided the personal costs of these conflicts. Cheyney Ryan argues that now is the time for a reckoning on the question of war and personal sacrifice. This book is a direct provocation and a call for reflection. It demands that we revisit the basic questions of why we fight and how we fight-and the connection between the two. The results of our reflection and reckoning will have great consequences for our country and for the world. -- Joel H. Rosenthal, president, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

Author Bio

Cheyney Ryan is professor of philosophy and law at the University of Oregon. He is currently visiting senior fellow at Merton College, Oxford. Ryan has published widely in both philosophy and legal studies and was awarded the Joseph J. Blau Prize by the Society for Advancement of American Philosophy for the most significant contribution to history of American philosophy in 2003. Ryan is currently working with the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs in New York.