Nils Ørvik's "defence against help": The descriptive appeal of a prescriptive strategy

Discusses the "defense-against-help" strategy introduced in 1973 by Norwegian-born scholar Nils Orvik in relation to Canada-US security relations. Orvik viewed defense-against-help as a solution to the problem that Canada's defense capability was too weak to successfully resist an att...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal (Toronto) Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 463 - 474
Main Author Lagasse, Philippe
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England Canadian International Council 22.03.2010
SAGE Publications
Sage Publications Ltd. (UK)
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects
Armed Forces
Bilateral relations
BLASTS FROM THE PAST
Canada
Cold wars
Countries
Defence policy
Defense Policy
Defense spending
Finland
Generals
History
History of political ideas
Intellectuals
International relations
Military policy
Military strategy
Missile defense
National security
Orvik, Nils
Policy implementation
Political alliances
Political aspects
Political history
Politicians
Sovereignty
Strategic planning
Strategies
Terrorism
U.S.A
Canada
United States > US
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Summary:Discusses the "defense-against-help" strategy introduced in 1973 by Norwegian-born scholar Nils Orvik in relation to Canada-US security relations. Orvik viewed defense-against-help as a solution to the problem that Canada's defense capability was too weak to successfully resist an attack by the US. Smaller states in this position have opted to increase their military strength, rely on the help of another state, or admit helplessness. Some states avoided making a choice while others combined certain aspects of all three options. The alternative defense-against-help strategy involves the smaller state building enough military power to defend itself against opponents of the larger power while simultaneously ensuring that it was not a threat to its larger neighbor, a vulnerable point of attack, or an obstacle to the larger state's self-defense. Factors that assure a successful application of the strategy are described & the example of Finland at the outbreak of WWII is used to describe successful implementation. Orvik's intellectual legacy is highlighted & ways in which his strategy could benefit Canada are considered. J. Lindroth
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ISSN:0020-7020
2052-465X
DOI:10.1177/002070201006500215