Puzzles of the Democratic Peace: Theory, Geopolitics and the Transformation of World Politics

by Karen Rasler, William R. Thompson

Ever since the revival of Kant's Perpetual Peace thesis, the linkages between democracy and peace has been a central topic in international relations research, with sustained debate over whether it exists and if it does, why it does. In this stimulating volume, two leading IR scholars place the democratic peace debate within a broader context, including the extent of threats in international relations, degree of satisfaction with the status quo, the diffusion of democracy, and the rise of the trading state. Step by step, Thompson and Rasler examine the democratic peace through a series of puzzles concerning arguments at the dyadic, systemic, and individual state levels. Synthesizing a broad range of knowledge and linking islands of theory, Puzzles of the Democratic Peace provides a distinctive look at the state of the field and paths forward.

282 pages, Paperback

First published March 16, 2005

Reviews

[Grace O'Brien]

Useful if you're interested in world politics and democratic peace theory. Simple/clear arguments throughout and thoughtful analysis of both historical and contemporary issues regarding the relationship between warfare and democracy.