Rationalist Explanations for War

Overview

• Author: James D. Fearon
• Publication: International Organization, Vol. 49, No. 3, Summer 1995
• Publisher: The MIT Press
• Pages: 379-414

Abstract Summary

• Rationalist explanations for war challenge the idea that rational states fight when no peaceful bargains are preferable.
• Under broad conditions, negotiated settlements that rational states prefer over war exist.
• Common rationalist and realist explanations fail to address why leaders can't find less costly bargains.
• Two key mechanisms explain why wars occur even when preferable bargains exist:
  1. Private Information and Misrepresentation: States have incentives to misrepresent capabilities and resolve.
  2. Commitment Problems: In certain strategic contexts, states cannot credibly commit to upholding mutually preferable bargains.
• Historical examples suggest the empirical plausibility of these mechanisms.

Key Concepts in International Relations

• Foreign Policies
• International Relations
• Comparative Political Economy
• Security Policies
• Environmental Disputes and Resolutions
• European Integration
• Alliance Patterns and War
• Bargaining and Conflict Resolution
• Economic Development and Adjustment
• International Capital Movements

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