British defence policy since 1945 has been characterized by a continuous process of incrementalism or "muddling through" with compromises being made between different areas, for example between nuclear and conventional weapons. In this study the author argues that a "one-off" defence review is not enough but regular five-yearly ones are necessary to provide a long-term strategic direction which, he maintains, is lacking at present. John Baylis is editor of "Alternative Approaches to British Defence Po licy" and "British Defence Policy in a Changing World" and is author of "Britain, NATO and Nuclear Weapons: alternative defence versus alliance reform" with Ken Booth, "Anglo-American Defence Relations, 1939-84", "Contemporary Strategy": Theories and Policies" and "Nuclear War and Nuclear Peace" with Geral Segal, Edwina Moreton and Lawrence Freedman.