The Outbreak of the First World War Structure, Politics, and Decision-Making [Hardcover]

This volume brings together leading historians and international relations scholars to debate the causes of the First World War.This volume links historians' debates about the origins of the First World War to theoretical debates about the causes of war. It shows how power, alliances, historical rivalries, militarism, nationalism, public opinion, internal politics, and powerful personalities shaped decision-making in each of the major countries in the lead up to war.This volume links historians' debates about the origins of the First World War to theoretical debates about the causes of war. It shows how power, alliances, historical rivalries, militarism, nationalism, public opinion, internal politics, and powerful personalities shaped decision-making in each of the major countries in the lead up to war.The First World War had profound consequences both for the evolution of the international system and for domestic political systems. How and why did the war start? Offering a unique interdisciplinary perspective, this volume brings together a distinguished group of diplomatic historians and international relations scholars to debate the causes of the war. Organized around several theoretically based questions, it shows how power, alliances, historical rivalries, militarism, nationalism, public opinion, internal politics, and powerful personalities shaped decision-making in each of the major countries in the lead up to war. The emphasis on the interplay of theory and history is a significant contribution to the dialogue between historians and political scientists, and will contribute to a better understanding of the war in both disciplines.Part I. Overview of Debates about the Causes of the First World War: 1. Introduction: historians, political scientists, and the causes of the First World War Jack S. Levy and John A. Vasquez; 2. July 1914 revisited and revised: the erosion of the German paradigm Samuel R. Williamson, Jr; Part II. Structure and Agency: 3. Strategic ril³r