The militarisation of British democracy: the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the rise of authoritarianism

In this book launch event, Paul Dixon will present his new book, The Militarisation of British Democracy: The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and the Rise of Authoritarianism (Edinburgh University Press, 2025) followed by a panel discussion about the key questions.

Dixon explores how senior military leaders, not just politicians, played a decisive role in driving Britain into the Iraq and Afghan wars; arguing that the pursuit of war and the further militarisation of British democracy since 9/11 has made the nation particularly prone to military aggression. The book highlights the emergence of what Dixon describes as a “militarist coalition” – a network of military leaders, political allies, civil servants, media figures and cultural institutions that promoted militarist values and normalised the idea of permanent war.

Alongside analysis of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the event will raise wider questions about democratic control of the military and the use of fear to rally support for increased military spending and further wars with Russia and China.

Meet our speaker

Paul Dixon teaches at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Leicester. His publications include Performing the Northern Ireland Peace Process (2018) and editing The British Approach to Counterinsurgency: From Malaya and Northern Ireland to Iraq and Afghanistan (2012).

Discussants

Simon Jenkins is a journalist and author. He writes weekly for the Guardian and elsewhere. He began his career at the London Institute of Education and was political editor of The Economist, books editor of the Sunday Times and editor of the Evening Standard and the Times, for all of which he wrote columns. His board service included British Rail (1979-90), London Transport (1984-86) and chairman of the Pevsner book trust. He was deputy chairman of English Heritage and Chairman of the National Trust.

Tom Stevenson is a foreign correspondent and contributing editor at the London Review of Books. He has reported from Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Turkey, Iraq, Mexico, and Ukraine, among others. His essay collection, Someone Else's Empire: British Illusions and American Hegemony was published by Verso in 2023.

Chair

Toby Dodge is Professor of International Relations in the Department of International Relations at LSE. His research concentrates on the evolution of the post-colonial state in the international system. The main focus of this work on the developing world is the state in the Middle East, specifically Iraq.

More about this event

The Department of International Relations (@LSEIRDept) at LSE is now in it's 98th year - one of the oldest as well as largest IR departments in the world, with a truly international reputation. We are ranked 2nd in the UK and 5th in the world in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2025 tables for Politics and International Studies.

From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.

Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accurate information is given here this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.

LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.