Dangerous Times?: The International Politics of Great Power Peace
What horrors will the twenty-first century bring? For many people, a clash of civilizations and a perilous return to great power rivalries are the dominant visions of things to come. Fueled by daily headlines, overwhelming majorities of people from all walks of life consider the world to be a far more chaotic, frightening, and ultimately more dangerous place than ever before. Christopher J. Fettweis argues that these impressions, however widespread, are wrong.

Dangerous Times? is an examination of international politics that reveals both theoretical logic and empirical data that support the vision of a future where wars between great powers are unlikely and transnational threats can be contained. Despite popular perception, today a far greater percentage of the world’s population lives in peace than at any time in history, and the number and intensity of all types of warfare have dropped steadily since the early 1990s. Terrorism, though reprehensible, can be combated and can actually increase international cooperation among states fighting a common threat. World wars like those of the twentieth century—the true clash of civilizations—are unlikely to be repeated in the close-knit world of the twenty-first century.

In this sharp and insightful book, Fettweis discusses this revolution in human history and its ramifications for international relations theory. He suggests a new vision for a more restrained U.S. grand strategy and foreign policy and reveals how, despite pessimistic perceptions to the contrary, the world is more likely entering a golden age of peace and security.

1114427867
Dangerous Times?: The International Politics of Great Power Peace
What horrors will the twenty-first century bring? For many people, a clash of civilizations and a perilous return to great power rivalries are the dominant visions of things to come. Fueled by daily headlines, overwhelming majorities of people from all walks of life consider the world to be a far more chaotic, frightening, and ultimately more dangerous place than ever before. Christopher J. Fettweis argues that these impressions, however widespread, are wrong.

Dangerous Times? is an examination of international politics that reveals both theoretical logic and empirical data that support the vision of a future where wars between great powers are unlikely and transnational threats can be contained. Despite popular perception, today a far greater percentage of the world’s population lives in peace than at any time in history, and the number and intensity of all types of warfare have dropped steadily since the early 1990s. Terrorism, though reprehensible, can be combated and can actually increase international cooperation among states fighting a common threat. World wars like those of the twentieth century—the true clash of civilizations—are unlikely to be repeated in the close-knit world of the twenty-first century.

In this sharp and insightful book, Fettweis discusses this revolution in human history and its ramifications for international relations theory. He suggests a new vision for a more restrained U.S. grand strategy and foreign policy and reveals how, despite pessimistic perceptions to the contrary, the world is more likely entering a golden age of peace and security.

59.95 In Stock
Dangerous Times?: The International Politics of Great Power Peace

Dangerous Times?: The International Politics of Great Power Peace

Dangerous Times?: The International Politics of Great Power Peace

Dangerous Times?: The International Politics of Great Power Peace

Hardcover

$59.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 6-10 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

What horrors will the twenty-first century bring? For many people, a clash of civilizations and a perilous return to great power rivalries are the dominant visions of things to come. Fueled by daily headlines, overwhelming majorities of people from all walks of life consider the world to be a far more chaotic, frightening, and ultimately more dangerous place than ever before. Christopher J. Fettweis argues that these impressions, however widespread, are wrong.

Dangerous Times? is an examination of international politics that reveals both theoretical logic and empirical data that support the vision of a future where wars between great powers are unlikely and transnational threats can be contained. Despite popular perception, today a far greater percentage of the world’s population lives in peace than at any time in history, and the number and intensity of all types of warfare have dropped steadily since the early 1990s. Terrorism, though reprehensible, can be combated and can actually increase international cooperation among states fighting a common threat. World wars like those of the twentieth century—the true clash of civilizations—are unlikely to be repeated in the close-knit world of the twenty-first century.

In this sharp and insightful book, Fettweis discusses this revolution in human history and its ramifications for international relations theory. He suggests a new vision for a more restrained U.S. grand strategy and foreign policy and reveals how, despite pessimistic perceptions to the contrary, the world is more likely entering a golden age of peace and security.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781589017108
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
Publication date: 10/27/2010
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Christopher J. Fettweis is an assistant professor of political science at Tulane University. He is the author of Losing Hurts Twice as Bad: The Four Stages to Moving Beyond Iraq.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations viii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: Anxiety, Danger, and the Ghost of Norman Angell 1

Part 1 Theory

1 Explaining Behavioral Change: Why Norms Evolve 19

2 From Opium to Obsolescence: The Norms of War 37

Part 2 Evidence

3 On Predicting International Affairs 57

4 Evaluating the Crystal Balls 83

5 Resource Wars? The Three Stages of Petroleum Politics 110

Part 3 Implications

6 Theory and Great Power Peace 135

7 Grand Strategy and Great Power Peace 154

8 Foreign Policy and Great Power Peace: Restraint in Practice 183

Conclusion: Angell, Honor, and the Proliferation of Peace 215

Bibliography 225

Index 263

What People are Saying About This

Stephen R. Rock

Christopher Fettweis has produced a remarkably rich book. At its core an analysis of the sources and implications of great power peace, Dangerous Times? advances the debate among competing IR paradigms, makes an important contribution to the literature on methodology and the evaluation of theory, offers interesting predictions regarding the future of the international system and the behavior of states, and articulates a persuasive vision for US grand strategy and foreign policy.

From the Publisher

"Christopher Fettweis has produced a remarkably rich book. At its core an analysis of the sources and implications of great power peace, Dangerous Times? advances the debate among competing IR paradigms, makes an important contribution to the literature on methodology and the evaluation of theory, offers interesting predictions regarding the future of the international system and the behavior of states, and articulates a persuasive vision for US grand strategy and foreign policy. "—Stephen R. Rock, Vassar College

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews