Abstract
Many interstate enduring rivalries experience wars, some do not. This analysis presents and tests an explanation of whether, why, and how rivals go to war. It is argued that rivalries between equal states that do not go to war are those in which territorial issues are not at stake. Rivalries in the absence of territorial issues tend to go to war only by being embroiled in an ongoing war by a third party. A series of tests with emphasis on rivalries between major states occurring during 1816-1986 supports the territorial explanation. Two distinct paths to war are empirically identified-one leading to a dyadic war involving a territorial dispute(s) and a second path by which rivals without a territorial dispute join an ongoing war because of contagion factors.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 531-558 |
Number of pages | 28 |
Journal | International Studies Quarterly |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science
- Political Science and International Relations