Rational Theory of International Politics by Charles L Glaser

Rational Theory of International Politics by Charles L Glaser

Within the realist school of international relations, a prevailing view holds that the anarchic structure of the international system invariably forces the great powers to seek security at one another's expense, dooming even peaceful nations to an unrelenting struggle for power and dominance. Rational Theory of International Politics offers a more nuanced alternative to this view, one that provides answers to the most fundamental and pressing questions of international relations. Why do states sometimes compete and wage war while at other times they cooperate and pursue peace? Does competition reflect pressures generated by the anarchic international system or rather states' own expansionist goals? Are the United States and China on a collision course to war, or is continued coexistence possible? Is peace in the Middle East even feasible? Charles Glaser puts forward a major new theory of international politics that identifies three kinds of variables that influence a state's strategy: the state's motives, specifically whether it is motivated by security concerns or "greed"; material variables, which determine its military capabilities; and information variables, most importantly what the state knows about its adversary's motives. Rational Theory of International Politics demonstrates that variation in motives can be key to the choice of strategy; that the international environment sometimes favors cooperation over competition; and that information variables can be as important as material variables in determining the strategy a state should choose.

Honorable Mention for the 2011 Best Book, International Security Studies Section of the International Studies Association "This ambitious book offers a deductive theory of state security policies that builds on work by Kenneth Waltz, John Mearsheimer, and Alexander WendtUnlike Waltz and like Wendt, Glaser contends that the anarchic structure of the international system does not automatically lead to competitive policies; cooperation is possible if states properly assess their rivals' motives... [T]his is an important work for serious students of security studies."--Choice "Glaser should be commended for demonstrating how even realist assumptions can lead to cooperative and peaceful outcomes in international politics. The manner in which he reaches these conclusions is also praiseworthy, particularly his attention to detail. Glaser interrogates important realist concepts and lays bare their conceptual and methodological shortcomings, before correcting or adapting them appropriately. This makes Glaser's restatement of realism the most sophisticated yet."--Benjamin Martin, Political Studies Review "Rational Theory of International Politics is an important book that should not be missed by those interested in IR. The book offers a comprehensive theory of rationalism which does much to forward the internal debates of the realist school. The analysis of material variables, where Glaser's mastery of the topic is evident, is the highlight of the book. Further, the extended analysis of information variables is a most welcome addition to a school that has largely ignored their importance."--Sophia Dingli, Millennium: Journal of International Studies

Charles L. Glaser is professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University. He is the author of "Analyzing Strategic Nuclear Policy" (Princeton).

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780691143729
ISBN 10	0691143722
Title	Rational Theory of International Politics
Author	Charles L Glaser
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Princeton University Press
Year published	2010-05-16
Number of pages	328
Prizes	Commended for International Studies Association International Security Studies Section Best Book Award 2011
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.