Nations at War: A Scientific Study of International Conflict (Cambridge Studies in International Relations)

by Daniel S. Geller

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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 show more 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. show less

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jcvogan1 226 reviews

A summary of empirical quantitative research into the causes and severity of war. Most of the best explanatory variables are at the dyadic level, mainly the absence of joint democracies, absence of joint advanced economies, shared borders, shift in relative balance and enduring rivalry. Also, simply being a great power makes it more likely that a state will be engaged in war.

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