Why do democratic states not fight each other? A systemic approach to the democratic peace

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Presentation of the subject
• Methodology and literature review
• Definitions
• Chapter I: The monadic level of analysis
  • Empirical research on the monadic level
  • The three main axioms and the rationalist approach
  • Structural constraints
  • Normative constraints
  • Synthetic approaches
  • Concluding words
• Chapter II: The dyadic level of analysis
  • Empirical research on the dyadic level
  • The shared democratic institutions and the credibility of signals
  • The shared democratic culture
  • A peace of deterrence
  • Concluding words
• Chapter III: The systemic level of analysis
  • Alternative approaches to the systemic analysis
  • International Organisations
  • The international organisation of democratic states prevents war
  • Concluding words

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation aims to provide an alternative explanation for the democratic peace – the observation that democratic states rarely, if ever, fight each other. It critiques existing theories focusing on individual states and their relationships, arguing that these are insufficient. Instead, it proposes a systemic approach.

• The inadequacy of existing monadic and dyadic explanations for the democratic peace.
• Analysis of theoretical approaches to the democratic peace, including those of Russett, Doyle, and Müller.
• Examination of the role of structural and normative constraints on democratic state behavior.
• The importance of shared democratic institutions and culture in maintaining peace.
• The systemic role of international organizations in mitigating conflict between democracies.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter I: The monadic level of analysis examines empirical research and theoretical frameworks focusing on individual democratic states. It analyzes the rationalist approach, structural and normative constraints, and synthetic approaches to understanding why democracies tend not to fight each other.

Chapter II: The dyadic level of analysis shifts focus to the relationships between pairs of democratic states. It explores the role of shared democratic institutions, culture, and deterrence mechanisms in preventing conflict.

Chapter III: The systemic level of analysis explores alternative perspectives on the international system's contribution to the democratic peace. It specifically investigates the role of international organizations established by democratic states in conflict mitigation and war prevention.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Democratic peace, international relations, war, democracy, international organizations, rational choice theory, constructivism, systemic analysis, monadic level, dyadic level, deterrence, norms, institutions.