A precautionary approach to foreign policy? : a preliminary analysis of Tony Blair's speeches on Iraq

A precautionary approach to foreign policy examines the idea that the British Prime Minister embraced the precautionary principle over his decision to go to war with Iraq. We argue that although understandings of precaution do have problems when applied to this particular issue, the idea of using weaker forms of the precautionary principle in foreign policy is nevertheless intriguing, and warrants further research. The article is aimed at academics and practitioners interested in the field of foreign and defence policy. It has resulted in a paper to be presented to the ISA in 2008 and an ESRC bid.