Debates about the similarities and differences between the wars in Vietnam and Iraq have lacked agreed criteria for comparison. A set of 20 categories for comparing wars is proposed, grouped under causes/rationales, participants, methods/nature, scale/duration, and outcomes. This classification scheme is used to illustrate how commentators on Vietnam-Iraq press their cases: commonly, they select comparison categories favorable to their cases and ignore or downplay categories and evidence that do not support their case.
Author Biographies
Truda Gray
Truda Gray is in the Faculty of Arts, University of Wollongong, Australia. Her past and current research is on psychological warfare, propaganda and democracy, and corporate influence on public opinion.
Brian Martin
Brian Martin is Professor of Social Sciences in the Faculty of Arts, University of Wollongong, Australia. He is the author of 12 books and numerous articles on peace and war, dissent, scientific controversies, information technology and democracy. His most recent book is Justice Ignited: The Dynamics of Backfire (2007).
