Crisis Diplomacy: The Great Powers since the Mid-Nineteenth Century (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) [Paperback]

James L. Richardson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521459877 | ISBN-13: 978-0521459877 | Publication Date: October 28, 1994

Why do some international crises lead to war, while others are resolved peacefully? Does the outcome depend mainly on underlying structural causes, or on decision makers' choices and diplomacy? In this book James Richardson examines nine major international crises from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in order to explain the differing outcomes of each. The author evaluates the main theories that have served to explain crisis behavior, emphasizing the conflict between theories based on an assumption of rationality, and those which emphasize the nonrational.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Crisis Diplomacy makes three important contributions to the literature. First, chapter 2 presents an excellent synthesis and summary of existing theories and concepts....Second, chapters 10 through 15 contain a wealth of interesting evaluations and critiques of contemporary theories of crisis behavior....Third, the book's insights from the historical cases refine and qualify the usual list of seven maxims of crisis management: maintain multiple advocacy, limit objectives, keep options flexible, avoid misperceptions of the adversary, communicate and signal clearly, keep close political control over military operations, and reduce time pressure." Journal of Interdisciplinary History

"[Richardson's] final conclusions have cogency and even a ring of urgency for policy makers: the need for multiple advocacy to insure that all options are considered, a careful limitation of objectives, flexibility in selecting options, the importance of perceptions and their verification, and constant attention to communications. In the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the return to more ambiguous situations of war and peace, these admonitions have force and relevance. We must hope that some future policy makers will read and possibly heed." American Historical Review

Book Description

Why do some international crises lead to war, while others are resolved peacefully? Nine major international crises are examined in order to explain the differing outcomes of each, in relationship to theories that explain crisis behavior--nonrational as well as rational.

Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521459877
• ISBN-13: 978-0521459877
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,102,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, March 15, 2005

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Jason R. Iinuma - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crisis Diplomacy: The Great Powers since the Mid-Nineteenth Century (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) (Paperback)

This overall is a good book that provides detail on the maxims of diplomacy, history on diplomacy and chapters detailing examples used throughout modern history. A must read for a diplomatic Major. Although the reading is knowledgable and in depth, it can drag on and I often found myself speed reading and more then likely lost some info.