The Biological Weapons Taboo

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Dr Michelle Bentley (Reader in International Relations Director, Reader in International Relations Director, Centre for International Security Royal Holloway, University of London)

The Biological Weapons Taboo

Dr Michelle Bentley (Reader in International Relations Director, Reader in International Relations Director, Centre for International Security Royal Holloway, University of London)

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English

Oxford University Press
05 March 2024

International relations; Warfare & defence; Defence strategy, planning & research

The non-use of biological weapons has been described as the 'great mystery of biological warfare.' The Biological Weapons Taboo solves that mystery by analysing the bioweapons taboo, in the first comprehensive study of the concept. Bentley explains precisely why bioweapons are perceived as repulsive and how this sentiment is consequently expressed in the form of political behaviours, including the refusal to engage in biological aggression. Drawing on extensive archival evidence, this volume looks back on United States' foreign policy decision-making (particularly in relation to the Geneva Protocol and the Biological Weapons Convention) to demonstrate how and why the taboo has comprised a decisive factor in shaping both biowarfare strategy and political rhetoric - and why the taboo needs to be recognised as a necessary consideration in the study of bioweapons.

In analysing a taboo, the volume also takes the debate on international norms forward by questioning and challenging the wider analytic comprehension of 'taboo' itself. Rejecting current definitions of the concept as inadequate, Bentley proposes a new and original model of understanding based on the normative characteristics of disgust, stigmatization, and fetishization.

By: Dr Michelle Bentley (Reader in International Relations Director Reader in International Relations Director Centre for International Security Royal Holloway University of London)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 242mm, Width: 161mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780198892151
ISBN 10: 0198892152
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 05 March 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Dr Michelle Bentley is Reader in International Relations and Director of the Centre for International Security at Royal Holloway, University of London.