War Narratives And The American National Will In War

The understanding of the national will in war needs to move beyond untested maxims that the nation is averse to conflicts which are not costless and quick. To better understand the true American will, one must ask the following: What variables shape the durability of American policy of war once initiated, and what makes the American political will vulnerable?

Central to understanding national will in war is the role played by the war narrative - the rhetorical legitimation of the war policy. Using thorough case studies examining the construction of, and the elite debate on, the war narratives of the Vietnam War, US involvement in Somalia, and Iraq War, Kubiak generates valuable insights into the dynamics of the national will.

Constructing both the desirability and feasibility of war policy, the war narrative plays an important role in determining the strength of the national will in conflict.