Human Nature and the Causes of War [Hardcover]

What are the causes of war? Wars are generally begun by a revisionist state seeking to take territory. The psychological root of revisionism is the yearning for glory, honor and power. Human nature is the primary cause of war, but political regimes can temper or intensify these passions. This book examines the effects of six types of regime on foreign policy: monarchy, republic and sultanistic, charismatic, and military and totalitarian dictatorship. Dictatorships encourage and unleash human ambition, and are thus the governments most likely to begin ill-considered wars. Classical realism, modified to incorporate the impact of regimes and beliefs, provides a more convincing explanation of war than neo-realism.

Monarchy

The Wars of Louis XIV

Charles XIIs Invasion of Russia

Frederick II and the Aggrandizement of Prussia

Otto von Bismarck and the Austro-Prussian War

The Wars of Kings and Counselors

Tyranny, Charisma and Sultanism 

Napoleons Invasion of Russia

Louis Napoleon and the Franco-Prussian War

Francisco Solano L?pez and the War of the Triple Alliance

Idi Amins Invasion of Tanzania

The Wars of Sultans and Charismatic Dictators

Praetorian Dictatorship

The Japanese Military and the Pacific War