1st Edition
Assessing the Capitalist Peace
Researchers have recently reinvigorated the idea that key features associated with a capitalist organization of the economy render nation states internally and externally more peaceful. According to this adage, the contract intensity of capitalist societies and the openness of the economy are among the main attributes that drive these empirical relationships. Studies on the Capitalist Peace supplement the broadly received examinations on the role that economic integration in the form of trade and foreign direct investment play in the pacification of states. Some proponents of the peace-through-capitalism thesis controversially contend that this relationship supersedes prominent explanations like Democratic Peace according to which democratic pairs of states face a reduced risk of conflict.
This volume takes stock of this debate. Authors also evaluate the theoretical underpinnings of the relationship and offer an up-to-date idea history and classification of current research. Leading scholars comment on these theoretical propositions and empirical findings.
This book is an extended and revised version of a special issue of International Interactions.
1. The capitalist peace: Origins and prospects of a liberal idea Gerald Schneider and Nils Petter Gleditsch
2. International crises and the capitalist peace Erik Gartzke and J. Joseph Hewitt
3. Capitalism, commitment, and peace Patrick J. McDonald
4. Capitalism, peace, and the historical movement of ideas John Mueller
5. Coming to terms with the capitalist peace Michael Mousseau
6. Capitalist influences and peace Richard Rosecrance
7. Capitalism or democracy? Not so fast Bruce Russett
8. The capitalist peace and the rise of China: Establishing global harmony by economic interdependence Erich Weede
9. Capitalist Peace and Interstate Crises Michael Mousseau and Nils Petter Gleditsch
10. Comment and Rejoinder by Erik Gartze Bruce Russett and Allan Dafoe
Biography
Gerald Schneider is Professor of Political Science at the University of Konstanz, Germany and Editor of European Union Politics. He has published around 140 articles on European Union decision making, the causes and consequences of political violence and various other topics. He is a former Vice President of the International Studies Associates and has advised governments, IGOs and research institutions across the world.
Nils Petter Gleditsch is Research professor at the Centre for the Study of Civil War at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Professor of Political Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, and Associate editor of Journal of Peace Research. He served as President of the International Studies Association in 2008–09. He has published numerous articles and books on armed conflict, environmental security, the peace dividend, and related issues.
