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Description

Nations at War provides an explanation of war in international politics grounded on data-based, empirical research. The book classifies and synthesizes the research findings of over 500 quantitative analyses of war at the analytic level of the state, dyad, region, and international system. Because wars follow from political decisions, two basic decision-making models - the rational and the non-rational - are examined in relation to the explanatory framework of the volume. In addition, case analyses of two wars - the Iran/Iraq War (1980), and World War I (1914) - are provided as demonstrations of scientifically-based explanations of historical events. The primary structural factors responsible for the onset and seriousness of war are identified and the explanations are developed according to the scientific model of 'covering laws'. The conclusion presents a discussion of the potential for probabilistic conditional predictions of conflict within the context of war and peace studies.

Reviews

'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.' Political Science Quarterly

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.

Additional Information

• Illustrations: 9 tables