Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
The Stopping Power of Norms: Saturation Bombing, Civilian Immunity, and U.S. Attitudes toward the Laws of War
Summary
Scott Sagan and Benjamin Valentino's landmark survey of U.S. attitudes toward the laws of war found that Americans are relatively insensitive to the targeting of civilian populations and to international norms and taboos against the use of nuclear weapons. Charli Carpenter and Alexander Montgomery replicate a key question in this study and introduce variations into the experiment. The findings are more optimistic than Sagan and Valentino’s: Americans believe strongly that targeting civilians is wrong, and in a real-life scenario, a majority would likely oppose such action.
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For Academic Citation:
Charli Carpenter and Alexander H. Montgomery, "The Stopping Power of Norms: Saturation Bombing, Civilian Immunity, and U.S. Attitudes toward the Laws of War," International Security, Vol. 45, No. 2 (Fall 2020), pp. 140-169, doi.org/10.1162/isec_a_00392.
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Summary
Scott Sagan and Benjamin Valentino's landmark survey of U.S. attitudes toward the laws of war found that Americans are relatively insensitive to the targeting of civilian populations and to international norms and taboos against the use of nuclear weapons. Charli Carpenter and Alexander Montgomery replicate a key question in this study and introduce variations into the experiment. The findings are more optimistic than Sagan and Valentino’s: Americans believe strongly that targeting civilians is wrong, and in a real-life scenario, a majority would likely oppose such action.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.Charli Carpenter and Alexander H. Montgomery, "The Stopping Power of Norms: Saturation Bombing, Civilian Immunity, and U.S. Attitudes toward the Laws of War," International Security, Vol. 45, No. 2 (Fall 2020), pp. 140-169, doi.org/10.1162/isec_a_00392.
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Newspaper Article - Harvard Gazette
Lessons for Today's Cold War 2.0 with Russia, China
Book Chapter - Springer Nature
Nuclear Waste
Analysis & Opinions - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
The Real-Life Events of "Oppenheimer"
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Discussion Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Why the United States Should Spread Democracy
Report - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
NATO at Seventy: An Alliance in Crisis