The Legitimacy of Drone Warfare: Evaluating Public Perceptions

This book explores how public perceptions of drone warfare legitimacy shape countries' policies and the global governance of drone warfare. It introduces and tests a middle-range theory that considers the unique ways countries use and constrain strikes, providing a generalizable way to understand public perceptions in democratic political regimes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate realm of public perceptions regarding the legitimacy of drones, shedding light on how these perceptions shape countries' policies on and the global governance of drone warfare. Scholars recognize the paramount importance of legitimacy in countries' utilization of drones, with political officials often resorting to characterizing strikes as legitimate to sustain their use abroad. In response, this book presents and empirically tests an innovative middle-range theory aimed at unraveling the complex dynamics that shape public perceptions of legitimacy in the context of evolving patterns of drone warfare across the globe.

Rather than limiting the analysis to a specific platform or counterterrorism strikes, as is commonly done, this book argues that drone warfare should be understood as a function of the unique ways in which countries employ and constrain strikes. By updating existing theories of drone warfare, this book offers a versatile framework for comprehending public perceptions of legitimacy in diverse cross-national contexts, particularly within democratic political regimes that emphasize the accountability of political officials for the use of force abroad.

This book will appeal to students of security studies, foreign policy, media and communication studies, and International Relations, as it provides a deep and insightful exploration of the multifaceted aspects of public perceptions, drone warfare, and global governance. By unraveling the complex interplay between these factors, this book offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of international relations and the challenges faced by countries in navigating the complex terrain of drone warfare.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032614281