The First World War had profound consequences both for the evolution of the international system and for domestic political systems. How and why did the war start? Offering a unique interdisciplinary perspective, this volume brings together a distinguished group of diplomatic historians and international relations scholars to debate the causes of the war. Organized around several theoretically based questions, it shows how power, alliances, historical rivalries, militarism, nationalism, public opinion, internal politics, and powerful personalities shaped decision-making in each of the major countries in the lead up to war. The emphasis on the interplay of theory and history is a significant contribution to the dialogue between historians and political scientists, and will contribute to a better understanding of the war in both disciplines.
'The First World War is a dominant event for subfields in both history and political science. This interdisciplinary revisiting of the causes of the conflict focuses on several enduring and important questions, including the impact of situational and dispositional factors, whether Germany or other states bear primary responsibility, and why the war began in 1914. These serious, scholarly, and timely essays are a valuable addition to multiple research traditions, including international relations theory, security studies, and diplomatic history.' Colin Elman, Maxwell School of Syracuse University