A1 Journal article (refereed)
‘The Iraq War Momentum’ in the Struggle on the Powers of the US Congress (2019)

Kronlund, A. (2019). ‘The Iraq War Momentum’ in the Struggle on the Powers of the US Congress. Redescriptions : Political Thought, Conceptual History and Feminist Theory, 22(1), 51-67. https://doi.org/10.33134/rds.311

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kronlund, Anna

Journal or series: Redescriptions : Political Thought, Conceptual History and Feminist Theory

ISSN: 2308-0906

eISSN: 2308-0914

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 22

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 51-67

Publisher: Helsinki University Press

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33134/rds.311

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/66847

Abstract

How parliaments and legislatures participate in war-making has raised interest among researchers from different disciplines, including constitutional law and political science. While war powers are usually considered to be included in the field of the executive branch, parliaments have played an increasingly relevant role as more democratic decision-making in both normal and exceptional times has gained prominence. The comparative aspect to examine war powers between parliaments or between the branches of government is often adopted to describe the authority and legitimacy of these powers. The US Congress is considered to have strong war powers on paper compared to parliaments in other liberal democracies. Many times, the experienced realities of war have, however, resulted in benefiting the executive branch. This article claims that Congress, however, has not given away its powers but has adapted them to the changing conditions. The debates on authorizations of use of force can be seen as momentum for Congress to address its constitutional war powers. This article draws on congressional debates on war powers with regard to authorization of using US armed forces against Iraq in 2002. The purpose is to show a vivid discussion on struggles concerning constitutional war powers and how these are interpreted, defined and understood against the background of historical, theoretical and constitutional discussions on war powers. As the committing of US armed forces and the separation of powers continue to be in the center of political discussions, it is relevant to examine the debates on war powers in the US Congress.

Keywords: parliaments; parliamentarism; exercise of power; armed forces; hostilities (warfare); conversation

Free keywords: US Congress; debates; Iraq War; momentum; separation of powers

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1