In recent years we have seen within the industrialized democracies of Western society, a considerable upsurge of interest in defence issues and problems. In the discussions which take place, on of the more critical issues which currently attracts public attention is whether the West will be able to maintain existing levels of defence effort during the 1980s. This is a question which generates considerable controversy, much of which is characterized by a vehement and often vitriolic debate as the supporters and opponents of established defence strategies argue about our ability to implement national policies over the next decade.
