Do Democracies Win Their Wars?: An International Security Reader

by Michael E. Brown (Editor), Steven E. Miller, Owen R. Coté Jr.

Important contributions from both sides of the debate over the relationship between democracy and military victory. In recent years, a new wave of scholarship has argued that democracies have unique advantages that enable them to compete vigorously in international politics. Challenging long-held beliefs--some of which go back to Thucydides' account of the clash between democratic Athens and authoritarian Sparta--that democracy is a liability in the harsh world of international affairs, many scholars now claim that democracies win most of their wars. This research suggests that democracies emerge victorious because they prudently choose to fight wars that they can win, and because they can marshal more resources, make better decisions, and muster public support for their military campaigns. Critics counter that democracy itself makes little difference in war and that other factors, such as overall power, determine whether a country tastes victory or defeat. In some cases, such as the Vietnam War, democracy may even have contributed to defeat. The book includes crucial contributions to the debate over democracy and military victory, presenting important theoretical, conceptual, and empirical arguments.

328 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2011

About the author

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Michael E. Brown is an American academic and Professor of International Affairs, Political Science, and Gender Studies at the George Washington University. He served as Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs from 2005 to 2015. Brown holds a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University and has held senior roles at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Harvard’s Belfer Center, and Georgetown University. His research focuses on international security. Known for his distinctive orange necktie, Brown has become a recognizable figure on campus—except during Halloween week, when he sets it aside.