Peace through strength

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"Peace through strength" is a phrase and theory that a sufficiently strong military can preserve peace. The concept has long been associated with realpolitik and deterrence theory.[1][2] The phrase probably originates with Neville Chamberlain who ran a 'Peace Through Strength' public relations campaign from 1936-1939 to avoid World War II; the phrase then gained currency during the Cold War, eventually becoming a core policy tenant of the United States Republican Party since 1980. The idea has critics, with Andrew Bacevich stating, "'Peace through strength' easily enough becomes 'peace through war.'"

History

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Hadrian's Wall in northern England, a fortification built to establish defensible borders and deter conflict, is a classical example of achieving peaceful relations through military preparedness.

Antecedents

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While the phrase is modern in origin, Roman Emperor Hadrian (AD 76–138) applied the same principles.[3] His policy was described in the 4th century AD Historia Augusta as "more desirous of peace than of war, he trained the army as if war were imminent."[3] Hadrian's Wall was a symbol and manifestation of this policy.[4] For these reasons modern writers have associated the concept of peace through strength with Hadrian, though he never used that exact phrase.[3][5][6] In the 4th century AD, the Latin phrase Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum ("Therefore, whoever desires peace, let him prepare for war") was written by Vegetius in his De Re Militari; it is sometimes misquoted as Si vis pacem, para bellum ("If you want peace, prepare for war").[2]

The first US president, George Washington, enunciated a policy of keeping the peace through military preparedness, in his fifth annual message to Congress, the 1793 State of the Union Address. He said "if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war."[7][8]

United Kingdom

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Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in 1938 after the Munich Agreement. His policies, sometimes promoted with the "peace through strength" slogan,[9] ultimately failed to prevent World War II.

"Peace through strength" was first used in the context of foreign policy in the United Kingdom in 1936, as a public relations campaign to promote the idea of mutual defense between Britain's colonies against the Axis powers – initially under the slogan "Peace through strength and unity in our empire."[10][11][12][13] The campaign was launched by supporters of soon to be Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain on the birthday of his father, Joseph Chamberlain."[10] Chamberlain expanded the policy underpinning the slogan to include recent allies Poland, Romania, and Greece.[14] In February 1939, justifying a massive rearmament program, Chamberlain said British policy was "a policy of peace through strength".[9] Chamberlain's foreign policies, as some historians argue, ultimately failed to prevent World War II.[15][16] Nearly ninety years later, in 2025, UK prime minister Keir Starmer said the country is moving to "warfighting readiness" in order to show potential adversaries that the country is "ready to deliver peace through strength."[17][18]

United States

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'Peace Through Strength' has appeared in every Republican Party platform since 1980, starting with Ronald Reagan, here meeting with Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1982.

By late 1939, with the outbreak of WWII, some in the United States adopted the British slogan 'Peace through Strength' - Britain was no longer at peace, but the United States was, and peace through strength was a rallying cry for some isolationists who wanted to keep the US out of WWII.[19][20]

Donald Trump serving Thanksgiving turkey to US troops. Beyond Reagan, Trump has been the most vocal proponent of the Peace Through Strength policy in the United States.[21]

Following the war, widespread usage in the USA did not occur until after 1952, with the rise of Cold War tensions and the publication that year of Peace Through Strength, a biography of Bernard Baruch, a World War II adviser to US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.[5][22] Up until the early 1960s, it was used by military leaders, academics and both Republicans and Democrats. Pentagon strategist, Fritz G. A. Kraemer (1908-2003) was a prominent advocate of the "peace through strength" doctrine. For decades, he promoted this approach, arguing that a strong and credible military posture was essential to deter aggression and maintain peace.[23]

During Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign, the Republican Party spent about $5 million on TV ads promoting Goldwater's foreign policy position of "Peace through Strength," making the phrase more broadly known to the public and associated with the Republican Party platform.[24] President Gerald Ford alluded to the concept in his 1977 State of the Union Address.[25] In 1980, Ronald Reagan, who had campaigned for Goldwater in 1964, used the phrase during his election challenge against Jimmy Carter by accusing the incumbent of weak, vacillating leadership that invited enemies to attack the United States and its allies.[26][27] Reagan later considered it one of the mainstays of his foreign policy as president.[28][29] "Peace Through Strength" has continued to appear in every Republican Party platform since 1980.[30] "Peace Through Strength" is the official motto of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).[31] President Donald J. Trump was a significant proponent of Peace Through Strength policy during both terms.[21]

Other nations

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In March 2025, French president Macron said, "This is the moment when our strategy of peace through strength comes into play," referring to an arms build-up in Europe, sanctions, and possible peace-keeping troops in Ukraine.[32] He later said, "the approach of peace through strength [in Ukraine] is the one we're continuing to take."[33]

In Taiwan, "peace through strength" is a slogan of Taiwanese nationalism, meaning to emphasize Taiwan's sovereignty, strengthen its military power, and work with the United States and Japan to guard against possible aggression by the People's Republic of China. Lai Ching-te, the eighth president of the Republic of China (Taiwan), emphasized "peace through strength" even before he became president.[34] On June 19, 2024, president Lai reiterated that "peace must rely on strength, which is to say avoiding war by preparing for war to achieve peace".[35]

Criticism

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For Andrew Bacevich, "belief in the efficacy of military power almost inevitably breeds the temptation to put that power to work. 'Peace through strength' easily enough becomes 'peace through war.'"[29][36]

Jim George of Australian National University used the term to describe part of what he argued was the Straussian and neoconservative foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration.[37]

The mock inversion "strength through peace" has been used on occasion to draw criticism to the militaristic system of diplomacy advocated by "peace through strength".[38] Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich adopted the slogan "Strength Through Peace" during his 2008 presidential run as part of his platform as a peace candidate against the Iraq War.[39]

Trademark dispute

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During Reagan's presidency, the non-profit American Security Council Foundation (ASCF) and its for-profit direct-mail provider, Communications Corporation of America, sought to influence United States foreign policy by promoting the idea, but after the Soviet collapse of 1991, ASCF fell into obscurity, and other organizations continued to promote the slogan.[40] The Heritage Foundation and the Center for Security Policy (CSP) have also used the term in print.[41] The ASCF registered a trademark for the phrase in April 2011.[42] In September 2012, ASCF filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against CSP and Frank Gaffney,[43] prompting the Washington City Paper to ridicule ASCF's Director of Operations, Gary James, for editing the online encyclopedia Wikipedia article titled 'Peace through strength' so that it was "drenched in ... ASCF references".[44] Following a counterclaim by the CSP alleging that the trademark application had been fraudulent, in August 2013 the ACSF announced that it had settled the lawsuit with the CSP and would cancel its trademark claim.[45]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "United States Deterrence Policy: 1944-Present" (PDF). The Media Ecology and Strategic Analysis Group. September 2023. pp. 17–20. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  2. ^ a b "If you want peace, prepare for war — and diplomacy". Brookings. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  3. ^ a b c Speidel, Michael P. (2007). Emperor Hadrian´s Speeches to the African Army - A New Text. Schnell & Steiner. p. 3. Seeking peace through strength, emperor Hadrian (117–139) went to Numidia in summer 128 to review the fighting skills of Rome's African army. See also Footnote #1 which quotes Historia Augusta: Pacisque magis quam belli cupidus militem, quasi bellum immineret, exercuit ("more desirous of peace than of war, he trained the army as if war were imminent.")
  4. ^ Wainwright, Martin (14 March 2010). "Legions of sightseers attend Hadrian's Wall illumination". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2012. Designed as a symbol of Hadrian's contemporary-sounding policy of "peace through strength", the wall marked the northern frontier of the Roman empire
  5. ^ a b Goddard, Taegan (11 May 2025). "Peace Through Strength". Taegan Goddard's Political Dictionary. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  6. ^ Speller, Elizabeth (2002). Following Hadrian: A Second-Century Journey Through the Roman Empire. Headline Book Publishing. p. 69. ISBN 9780747270317. Hadrian sought "peace through strength or, failing that, peace through threat"
  7. ^ Rozell, Mark J. (2000). George Washington and the Origins of the American Presidency. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 24. ISBN 9780275968670.
  8. ^ Washington, George (December 3, 1793). "Fifth Annual Message of George Washington". 1793 State of the Union Address. Philadelphia. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Chamberlain, Neville (February 23, 1939). "Prime Minister's Confidence". London Times. pg. 8 col. 1. In such conditions it seems to me that only the reckless, the irresponsible or the ignorant can desire that the Government of the day should follow any other policy than the one we have laid down for ourselves, a policy of peace through strength … against any who might be rash enough to attack. Alt URL
  10. ^ a b "Peace Through Strength". The Times (47532). pg. 17 col. 5. November 14, 1936. [The campaign] is hoped to secure a revival in Imperial interest, and the cooperation is being invited of members of all parties who accept the main principals of the campaign, which is described as 'Peace through strength and unity in our Empire – the last great bulwark of freedom.'
  11. ^ "A Plain Statement". The North-China Herald. pg. 498 col. 2. March 30, 1938. The time has passed when it might have been possible to secure peace though weakness, and it has been forcibly brought home that the only possible policy that can now be followed is one of peace through strength. So long as its [Axis powers] activities are confined to matters which do not vitally affect British interests all that is necessary is to watch it with a wary eye and preparedness for all developments. That, Mr. Chamberlain assured the House of Commons, he is doing, and though his leadership may not be as inspired as the Opposition would like it to be, it shows every sign of being a cautious leadership and one which may steer the ship of state through the very troubled waters it is encountering.
  12. ^ "Peace Through Strength". The Times (48148). pg. 17 col. 4. November 10, 1938. This accusation has been brought, with flagrant injustice, against Mr. CHAMBERLAIN himself. He is determined that it shall not be brought against his country. Hence the policy of seeking not only peace for ourselves but the promotion of the peace of the world ... demands to be accompanied by the determination, to make our country so strong that it must be treated with respect.
  13. ^ Allen, Devere (September 4, 1939). "Uncensored News from Europe's Hot Spots". Unity. 124 (1). Peace-minded Britains who do not want the militarism at home that is being engendered by the ridiculously phrased 'peace front', and who are still opposed to appeasement which fosters Fascism, point out that the trouble with the Chamberlain formula of carrying water on both shoulders, and seeking 'peace through strength' is that it leaves no truly pacific alternative. Either it must lead to war, or a settlement which makes permanent all the worst features of Munich.
  14. ^ "Britain to train 1,000,000 men for duty in war". Chicago Daily Tribune. 98 (99): 8. April 26, 1939.
  15. ^ McDonough, Frank (1998). Neville Chamberlain, appeasement, and the British road to war. Manchester University Press.
  16. ^ Bouverie, Tim (2019). Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the road to war. Tim Duggan Books.
  17. ^ Starmer, Keir (2025-06-02). "PM's remarks on the Strategic Defence Review: 2 June 2025". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  18. ^ "PM vows to make Britain 'battle-ready' — but funding row threatens to derail plans". The Independent. 2025-06-03. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  19. ^ "Johnson and Kelley Emphasize Peace Through Strength". The Washington Post. No. 23202. December 25, 1939. p. 7.
  20. ^ "It is apparent from the preparations the President and Secretary Woodring are making…". Army and Navy Journal. 77 (6). p. 116 col. 1. October 7, 1939. AS THE WAY TO KEEP the United States free from war, the American Federation of Labor has adopted as its policy the view, which constantly has been expressed by the Services [US Army and Navy]. It is that of peace through strength. At its Fifty-Ninth annual convention held at Cincinnati this week, the Federation adopted unanimously a program calling for strict neutrality
  21. ^ a b O'Brien, Robert C. (July 2024). "The Return of Peace Through Strength". Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  22. ^ Rosenbloom, Morris Victor (1 January 1952). Peace Through Strength: Bernard Baruch and a Blueprint For Security. New York: Farrar, Straus and Young.
  23. ^ Hoffman, Hubertus (2012). True Keeper of the Holy Flame: The Legacy of Pentagon Strategist and Mentor Dr Fritz Kraemer. The World Security Network Foundation.
  24. ^ Seidman, Steven A. (2008). Posters, Propaganda, and Persuasion in Election Campaigns Around the World and Through History. Peter Lang. p. 76. ISBN 9780820486161.
  25. ^ Ford, Gerald (January 12, 1977). "Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress Reporting on the State of the Union". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  26. ^ Skinner, Kiron K.; Kudelia, Serhiy; Mesquita, Bruce Bueno de; Rice, Condoleezza (17 September 2007). "Politics Starts at the Water's Edge". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  27. ^ "Ronald Reagan - Peace Through Strength Campaign Commercial 1980". Reagan Bush Committee. Archived from the original on 2024-02-06 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ Freidel, Frank (1999). "Ronald Reagan". The Presidents of the United States of America. White House Historical Association. p. 84. ISBN 978-0912308739.
  29. ^ a b Houston, Wood (2015). Invitation to Peace Studies. Oxford University Press. pp. 24–25. ISBN 9780190217136.
  30. ^ "Party Platforms". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  31. ^ "'Peace Through Strength' - The Official Web Site of CVN 76 USS Ronald Reagan". United States Navy. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  32. ^ Leicester, John (March 15, 2025). "UK's Starmer urges Putin to prove he is serious about peace by agreeing to Ukraine ceasefire". PBS. AP. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  33. ^ ""You embody the resistance of a people," President Macron tells Ukraine's leader". Embassy of France in Malta. March 26, 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  34. ^ Wu, Sarah (January 11, 2024). "I'll pursue peace through strength, Lai says". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  35. ^ Blanchard, Ben (June 19, 2024). "Taiwan president says only military strength can keep the peace with China". Reuters. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  36. ^ Bacevich, Andrew (4 August 2010). "The Western Way of War Has Run its Course". CBS News. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  37. ^ George, Jim (June 2005). "Leo Strauss, Neoconservatism and US Foreign Policy: Esoteric Nihilism and the Bush Doctrine". International Politics. 42 (2). Palgrave Macmillan: 174–202. doi:10.1057/palgrave.ip.8800106. S2CID 143465538.
  38. ^ Lofland, John (1993). Polite Protesters: The American Peace Movement of the 1980s. Syracuse University Press. pp. 103–104. ISBN 9780815626053.
  39. ^ Appleman, Eric, ed. (2008). The Race for the 2008 Democratic Nomination: A Book of Editorial Cartoons. Pelican Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 9781455610808.
  40. ^ "The American Security Council Mission Statement". Archived from the original on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  41. ^ Holmes, Kim R. (1995). "Geo-Conservatism: Why Conservatives Are Better Than Liberals at Foreign Policy". Policy Review (71). The Heritage Foundation: 38.
  42. ^ "Peace Through Strength". United States Patent and Trademark Office. April 5, 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  43. ^ "American Security Council Foundation v. Center for Security Policy, Inc. et al". District of Columbia District Court. Justia. September 7, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  44. ^ Sommer, Will (September 14, 2012). "No Peace for Hawkish Think Tanks Over Reagan Slogan". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  45. ^ "Ronald Reagan's Legacy Preserved: AFLC Wins Favorable Settlement in Trademark Battle over Famous Slogan". American Security Council Foundation. August 5, 2013. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.