Democracies often go to war but almost never against each other.
Indeed, "the democratic peace" has become a catchphrase among scholars
and even U.S. Presidents. But why do democracies avoid fighting each
other? Reliable Partners offers the first systematic and definitive
explanation. Examining decades of research and speculation on the
subject and testing this against the history of relations between
democracies over the last two centuries, Charles Lipson concludes that
constitutional democracies have a "contracting advantage"--a unique
ability to settle conflicts with each other by durable agreements. In
so doing he forcefully counters realist claims that a regime's
character is irrelevant to war and peace. Lipson argues that because
democracies are confident their bargains will stick, they can
negotiate effective settlements with each other rather than incur the
great costs of war. Why are democracies more reliable partners?
Because their politics are uniquely open to outside scrutiny and
facilitate long-term commitments. They cannot easily bluff, deceive,
or launch surprise attacks. While this transparency weakens their
bargaining position, it also makes their promises more credible--and
more durable, for democracies are generally stable. Their leaders are
constrained by constitutional rules, independent officials, and the
political costs of abandoning public commitments. All this allows for
solid bargains between democracies. When democracies contemplate
breaking their agreements, their open debate gives partners advance
notice and a chance to protect themselves. Hence agreements among
democracies are less risky than those with nondemocratic states.
Setting rigorous analysis in friendly, vigorous prose, Reliable
Partners resolves longstanding questions about the democratic peace
and highlights important new findings about democracies in world
politics, from rivalries to alliances. Above all, it shows
conclusively that democracies are uniquely adapted to seal enduring
bargains with each other and thus avoid the blight of war.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781400850723
Publisert
2013
Utgiver
Vendor
Princeton University Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter