Causes of War

To avoid war, one must first understand its causes. Written by two widely respected scholars – both former Presidents of the International Studies Association – this text provides a comprehensive analysis of the leading theories of both interstate war and civil war, along with a discussion of the changing nature of war over time.

Utilizing historical examples throughout and adopting a modified “levels–of–analysis” organizational framework, the authors cover systemic, interactional, state and societal level, and decision–making theories of interstate war. These are contrasted with an examination of the conditions and processes leading to civil war.

Scholarly and insightful, Causes of War offers a detailed examination of the sources of conflict between and within states and their implications for the future of international relations.

Acknowledgments vi

1. Introduction to the Study of War 1

2. System–Level Theories 28

3. The Dyadic Interactions of States 55

4. The State and Societal Level 83

5. Decision–Making: The Individual Level 128

6. Decision–Making: The Organizational Level 162

7. Civil War 186

8. Conclusion: Refl ections on Levels, Causes, and War 205

References 224

Index 265

Jack S. Levy is Board of Governors Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University. He is a former President of the International Studies Association (2007–8) and of the Peace Science Society (2005–6). His research focuses on the causes of war and on foreign policy decision–making.

William R. Thompson is Rogers Professor of Political Science at Indiana University and Managing Editor of International Studies Quarterly. He is a former President of the International Studies Association (2005–6). His ongoing research focuses on conflict and long–term international political economy.

"Along the way are examples from recent history that may surprise the reader. At the very least, every member of Congress and the State Department should study this report." ( Book News Inc, November 2010)