Britain's War Powers

This book provides a state of the art discussion of the royal prerogative over war powers in the UK. This issue has received particular attention over proposed military strikes against the Syrian regime and it was claimed by many observers and scholars that parliament now controls decisions in war. However, the record has been mixed and the most recent decision by Prime Minister May on Syria in 2018 shows that the executive can re-assert prerogative powers and effectively sidestep parliament. The author argues that these dynamics should be seen in the context of the declining authority of the executive and the legislature and in terms of a policy solution, and ultimately she suggests a War Powers Act as a firmer foundation for Britain's war powers.

Provides an up to date account of Britain's war powers and the central questions of authority and legitimacy Situates the fall and rise of executive authority in the context of the declining legitimacy of the executive and the legislature Strengthens arguments for a more solid footing for Britain's war powers, for example a War Powers Act

Autorentext

Tara McCormack is Lecturer in International Politics at the University of Leicester, UK.

Inhalt

1. Chapter One: Introduction.- 2. Chapter Two: The problem of the Royal Prerogative; executive authority in an age of decreasing trust.- 3. Chapter Three: The rise of the Parliamentary Convention on authorising war; a done deal or an uncertain political agreement?.- 4. Chapter Four: Syria and the Return of the Royal Prerogative?.- 5. Chapter Five: British war powers in context and conclusion.