Synopses & Reviews
Nations at War provides a scientifically-derived explanation of war. It develops this explanation by reviewing data-based studies of international conflict, analyzing war from the fifteenth to the twentieth centuries, and identifying factors such as geography, regimes, military capabilities, alliances, and trade associated with both the onset and destructiveness of these conflicts. Two wars (the Iran/Iraq war of 1980, and World War I) are examined in detail in an effort to show how wars begin and sometimes expand to include other states. This unique book collates and synthesizes the findings of over five hundred scientific studies of war.
Review
"This is a book that students of international relations at all levels will want to consider adding to their shelves. The authors provide an excellent synthesis of what quantitative research--particularly the Correlates of War Project--has learned. Indeed, anyone who wonders at the contribution of the scientific study of war to international relations will benefit from reading Nations at War." Erik Gartzke, Political Science Quarterly"This book provides an explantion of war in international politics grounded in data-based, empirical research. The work classifies and synthesizes the research findings of more than 500 quantitative analyses of war at the analytic levels of the state, region, and internal system." Sage Public Administration Abstracts
Synopsis
Nations at War provides a scientifically-derived explanation of war. It develops this explanation by reviewing data-based studies of international conflict, analysing war from the fifteenth to the twentieth centuries, and identifies factors associated with both the onset and destructiveness of these conflicts.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-227) and index.
Table of Contents
Introduction; 1. Overview; 2. Decision models; 3. War-prone states; 4. War-prone dyads; 5. War-prone regions; 6. War-prone systems; 7. Case study: Iran/Iraq War (1980); 8. Case study: World War I (1914); 9. Conclusion; Appendices.