Precision: An American desire?

Precision has often been understood as a modern concept, usually associated with the Gulf War. This project, however, argues that an American reaction to the First World War led to the development of a moral and strategic desire for precision. The thesis is that this ambition has been a significant, if not always achievable feature of strategic thought, which has evolved over the last one hundred years. Thus, the thesis broadens and challenges accepted assumptions. An intellectual history method has been adopted for this project and a social constructivist theoretical standpoint provides the framework. The ‘idea’ of precision, as espoused by strategic thinkers during selected periods, is the focus of study. The project traces precision back to the dawn of American military air power in 1917. It analyses the Second World War with a study of United States Army Air Force (USAAF) precision bombing doctrine and examines the Cold War through a study of American nuclear strategy.