ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with Vincent Davis's examination of the Carter administration defense policy is perplexing in light of the strategic policy criteria mentioned. He argues that Carter has no strategic policy both because of a lack of experience in national-level politics and foreign affairs and a dysfunctional decisional style. Larry Korb presents a very useful and highly detailed comparison of the Ford and Carter defense budgets. Complicating defense decision processes are promises that may be given to particular constituencies to "buy" their support on other parts of the defense package. China probably could occupy Taiwan successfully, but only at considerable military and political cost, including the destruction of its new relationships with the United States and Japan as well as a potential escalation of the Sino-Soviet conflict into open warfare. Korb briefly raises an intriguing prospect the implications of which could lower deterrent costs and possibly stabilize Strategic Arms Limitation negotiations.
