Political Abstention in War and the Influence of Nuclear Weapons: A New Research Puzzle

Clemenceau’s famous statement—‘War is too important to be left to the generals’—represents an essential conflict in civil−military relations during crisis situations, especially with regard to the demarcation of boundaries for civil and military authority in the conduct of war. Where and when, in the conduct of war, should the political class step down and military commanders take over? Or, since, as the Clausewitzian dictum of war being a continuation of politics suggests, can war ever be considered a purely military enterprise? With the advent of nuclear weapons, these questions have become immensely important since military exigencies can now have extreme political ramifications.