Ballots and Bullets

The Elusive Democratic Peace

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book Ballots and Bullets by Joanne Gowa, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Joanne Gowa ISBN: 9781400822980
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: October 30, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Joanne Gowa
ISBN: 9781400822980
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: October 30, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

There is a widespread belief, among both political scientists and government policymakers, that "democracies don't fight each other." Here Joanne Gowa challenges that belief. In a thorough, systematic critique, she shows that, while democracies were less likely than other states to engage each other in armed conflicts between 1945 and 1980, they were just as likely to do so as were other states before 1914. Thus, no reason exists to believe that a democratic peace will survive the end of the Cold War. Since U.S. foreign policy is currently directed toward promoting democracy abroad, Gowa's findings are especially timely and worrisome.

Those who assert that a democratic peace exists typically examine the 1815-1980 period as a whole. In doing so, they conflate two very different historical periods: the pre-World War I and post-World War II years. Examining these periods separately, Gowa shows that a democratic peace prevailed only during the later period. Given the collapse of the Cold War world, her research calls into question both the conclusions of previous researchers and the wisdom of present U.S. foreign policy initiatives.

By re-examining the arguments and data that have been used to support beliefs about a democratic peace, Joanne Gowa has produced a thought-provoking book that is sure to be controversial.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

There is a widespread belief, among both political scientists and government policymakers, that "democracies don't fight each other." Here Joanne Gowa challenges that belief. In a thorough, systematic critique, she shows that, while democracies were less likely than other states to engage each other in armed conflicts between 1945 and 1980, they were just as likely to do so as were other states before 1914. Thus, no reason exists to believe that a democratic peace will survive the end of the Cold War. Since U.S. foreign policy is currently directed toward promoting democracy abroad, Gowa's findings are especially timely and worrisome.

Those who assert that a democratic peace exists typically examine the 1815-1980 period as a whole. In doing so, they conflate two very different historical periods: the pre-World War I and post-World War II years. Examining these periods separately, Gowa shows that a democratic peace prevailed only during the later period. Given the collapse of the Cold War world, her research calls into question both the conclusions of previous researchers and the wisdom of present U.S. foreign policy initiatives.

By re-examining the arguments and data that have been used to support beliefs about a democratic peace, Joanne Gowa has produced a thought-provoking book that is sure to be controversial.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Universities and Their Leadership by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Paths of Fire by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Poverty and Charity in the Jewish Community of Medieval Egypt by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Local Histories/Global Designs: Coloniality, Subaltern Knowledges, and Border Thinking by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book The Emperor Nero by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Lessons Learned by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book A Community of Scholars by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Normal Accidents by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Forgers and Critics, New Edition by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Monarchs and Milkweed by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Safeguarding Democratic Capitalism by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Parrots of the World by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book The Necessary Nation by Joanne Gowa
Cover of the book Rough Country by Joanne Gowa
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy