Peace and War (Armed Conflicts and International Order from 1648 to 1989)

Author: (Canada) H?rdy Holsti, translated by Wang Puqu and others
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Peace and War is a significant work that examines the origins of war and the construction of peace over the past 350 years. It stands as a landmark in the study of diplomatic history, war and peace, international relations, international conflict, and political science. For millennia, political scientists, philosophers, and historians have explored the causes of war, producing a vast body of literature, yet no definitive conclusion has been reached. In this book, H?rdy Holsti approaches the issue from a fresh perspective. He proposes three interconnected questions: What kinds of contentious issues trigger conflicts? How have attitudes toward war changed over time? What efforts and measures have been taken in the past to control and prevent international conflicts and crises? Professor Holsti first evaluates the achievements and shortcomings of existing literature on war studies and presents his own framework for researching international politics. Then, he meticulously examines 177 wars and major armed conflicts in the European and world state systems since 1648, as well as the phased efforts made by mediators to establish order after the wars. Methodologically, the book combines historical description with scientific analysis, blending the sensitivity of a historian to narrative details with the rigor of a political scientist in theoretical analysis. With this volume in hand, readers will find it utterly engaging and free of dryness.