Roots of War

Roots of War: Wanting Power, Seeing Threat, Justifying Force identifies three psychological factors that contribute to conflicts and the difference between escalation to war and peaceful resolution: the desire for power (power motivation), exaggerated perception of an opponent's power threat, and justification for using military power and force. The importance of power concerns in war is reflected in a survey of leaders' reasons for starting wars from Thucydides through George W. Bush. Drawing on this research, Roots of War concludes by suggesting policies to tame power and preserve peace, demonstrating the role of these policies in successful diplomatic interventions.