A Matter of Choice: Strategy and Discretion in the Shadow of World War II

Abstract

American policy-makers are predisposed towards the idea of a necessary war of survival, fought with little room for choice. This reflects a dominant memory of World War II that teaches Americans that they live in a dangerously small world that imposes conflict. Critics argue that the ‘choice versus necessity’ schema is ahistorical and mischievous. This article offers supporting fire to those critiques. America's war against the Axis (1941–45) is a crucial case through which to test the ‘small world’ view. Arguments for war in 1941 pose overblown scenarios of the rise of a Eurasian super-threat. In 1941 conflict was discretionary and not strictly necessary in the interests of national security. The argument for intervention is a closer call that often assumed. This has implications for America's choices today.

Key Words:

• Discretion
• Strategy
• World War II
• Wars of Choice

Acknowledgements

For their advice I am grateful to Stephen Biddle, Hew Strachan, Kenneth Payne, Daniel Trombly, Huw Bennett, Chris Tripodi, Jonathan Golub, Nick Stargardt, Colin Dueck and participants in the Reading University research seminar.

Notes

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