Customer Reviews

Why Nations Cooperate: Circumstance and Choice in International Relations

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I would definitely recommend the book for students and international relations theory afficionados. It does a very nice job of reconciling aspects of realism with those of liberalism. Game theory is used in very simple form, so it's readable even for the uninitiated. It's definitely not for those who hate theory. This is definitely theoretical. That said, it reads very well, unlike most theory books, which tend to be dense and dry. Some thought actually went into the writing style of this book, which makes for a pleasant experience.

This book is based on a simple idea: because "Realist" theories of international relations emphasize conflict, while "Liberal" theories emphasize international cooperation, one can reasonably combine insights from both approaches by using simple games of conflict *and* cooperation - - such as the famous Prisoners' Dilemma. Stein then goes further and argues that many other problems of international relations can be examined with other simple games, such as Chicken or Coordination (Battle of the Sexes). He makes the case successfully, emphasizing the theoretical side of international relations while including some real-world problems throughout the book.

The book has become somewhat dated. Scholars of international relations tend not to emphasize Realist-Liberal debates anymore, preferring a rational-constructivist debate; both Realists and Liberals find themselves among the rationalists. The two-by-two games in this book are also very dated, since most game-theoretic models are much more complicated today.

Being out of step with current debates doesn't really hurt Stein's book if you're looking for an introduction to theories of international relations - - read this as background to the debates of the last fifteen years. Stein identifies with parts of each approach, and with game-theoretic methods. However, he likes taking the role of a friendly critic, making his presentation the material balanced.

If you're looking for hypotheses, data collection, and statistical tests, however, you'll be disappointed in this book. It's very much a work of international relations theory, explained in a way that should make sense to intelligent undergraduates, and doesn't worry too much about evidence. I am inclined to say this isn't a defect - - it's a feature.

It was listed as a required course book, but we never once had to read it.

I did read it, however, and found it mind-numbingly boring. The author drones on and on, wasting words and paper, wihtout ever saying anything of substance. The only uses for this book are royalties for the author and coma-inducing anesthesia for the mind of the reader.