Jack S. Levy & William R. Thompson 
Causes of War 

Written by leading scholars in the field, Causes of War
provides the first comprehensive analysis of the leading theories
relating to the origins of both interstate and civil wars.

* Utilizes historical examples to illustrate individual theories
throughout

* Includes an analysis of theories of civil wars as well as
interstate wars — one of the only texts to do both

* Written by two former International Studies Association
Presidents

Table of Content

Acknowledgments vi

1. Introduction to the Study of War 1

2. System-Level Theories 28

3. The Dyadic Interactions of States 55

4. The State and Societal Level 83

5. Decision-Making: The Individual Level 128

6. Decision-Making: The Organizational Level 162

7. Civil War 186

8. Conclusion: Refl ections on Levels, Causes, and War 205

References 224

Index 265

About the author

Jack S. Levy is Board of Governors Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University. He is a former President of the International Studies Association (2007-8) and of the Peace Science Society (2005-6). His research focuses on the causes of war and on foreign policy decision-making.

William R. Thompson is Rogers Professor of Political Science at Indiana University and Managing Editor of International Studies Quarterly. He is a former President of the International Studies Association (2005-6). His ongoing research focuses on conflict and long-term international political economy.