For this new edition, Louis Fisher has updated his arguments to include critiques of the Clinton & Bush presidencies, particularly the Use of Force Act, the Iraq Resolution of 2002, the 'preemption doctrine' of the current U.S. administration, & the order authorizing military tribunals.

"An important book . . . that I wish every member of Congress and would-be president would carefully study." -- George McGovern "A timely and valuable study that makes a useful contribution to preserving the Constitution and our hopes for survival." -- Journal of American History "To Chain the Dog of War does an excellent job of putting together some very complex material, and it comes out at a most propitious time." -- Arthur S. Miller, Professor of Law, George Washington University "A most thorough study. . . . it would be useful is this book could be prescribed to our decision-makers as required reading." -- Louis B. Sohn, University of Georgia, School of Law

Declaring War directly challenges the 200-year-old belief that Congress can and should declare war. By offering a detailed analysis of the declarations of 1812, 1898 and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the book demonstrates the extent of the organizational and moral incapacity of Congress to declare war. It invokes Carl von Clausewitz's dictum that 'war is policy' to explain why declarations of war are an integral part of war and proposes two possible remedies - a constitutional amendment or, alternatively, a significant re-organization of Congress. It offers a comprehensive historical, legal, constitutional, moral and philosophical analysis of why Congress has failed to check an imperial presidency. The book draws on Roman history and international law to clarify the form, function and language of declarations of war and John Austin's speech act theory.