Peace and Certainty: A Theological Essay on Deterrence

by Oliver O'Donovan

The revival of the Just War tradition among theologians and political thinkers has opened the way in recent years to a fruitful debate on the morality of modern warfare. This book is a study of the concept of deterrence as an alternative to war, which examines the intellectual provenance of this strategy for managing international affairs. The author highlights the conflict between pacifism and deterrence and its failure to predict inter-bloc relations. His study raises questions about the place of deterrence theory within the intellectual currents of the modern West.

125 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1988

About the author

Oliver O'Donovan FBA FRSE (born 1945) is a scholar known for his work in the field of Christian ethics. He has also made contributions to political theology, both contemporary and historical.