New book investigates the militarisation of British democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan

The book, The Militarisation of British Democracy: The Iraq and Afghan Wars and the Rise of Authoritarianism, argues that Britain’s armed forces were not reluctant participants in these conflicts. Instead, they actively pressed for intervention, shaped public opinion, and contributed to a wider militarisation of British politics and society.

Drawing on extensive evidence, including the Chilcot Inquiry, Professor Dixon shows how senior officers resisted democratic control, promoted the concept of a “Military Covenant” to protect themselves from criticism, and sometimes defied ministers to escalate the UK’s role in the wars.

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.

Professor Dixon said:

“My research challenges the idea that Iraq was simply Blair’s war. The evidence shows that Britain’s top generals were not bystanders but powerful actors who pressed for intervention and helped drive these conflicts. Understanding this is vital if we are to ensure stronger democratic oversight in the future.”

The book has been praised by leading commentators. Joanna Bourke (Birkbeck, University of London) described it as “an extraordinary history and a warning to citizens of the world today,” while Simon Akam, author of The Changing of the Guard – The British Army since 9/11, called it “an important and necessary corrective.”

Alongside its analysis of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the book raises wider questions about civil–military relations, policymaking under pressure, and the long-term implications of the “War on Terror” for democratic institutions.

The Militarisation of British Democracy: The Iraq and Afghan Wars and the Rise of Authoritarianism is available for pre-order from Edinburgh University Press and will be published on 31 August 2025.