Games, Threats and Treaties : Understanding Commitments in International Relations

Booknews

A study of the international relations problem of commitment<-->the incentive to back out from a threat, an assurance, or a promise when the time comes to put words into action. Although the most commonly cited commitment problem was nuclear deterrence during the Cold War, the author argues that many examples remain important to present day international affairs. Even though the book is based heavily on recent developments in game theory, previous knowledge of the theory is not required to understand this book's argument that the international system is in a state of anarchy in which, as a last resort, states must rely on themselves to promote security and welfare. The book is organized into four parts that examine: the theoretical conditions for the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of threats; the domestic and international role of commitments in international bargaining; an explanation of why nations comply with treaties under anarchy; and the way game theory can be applied to two recent controversies called the agency-structure and the neo-neo debates. Distributed by Continuum. Paper edition (488-2), $24.95. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.