The Ideological Origins of Great Power Politics, 1789–1989 (Cornell Studies in Security Affairs)

How do leaders perceive threat levels in world politics, and what effects do those perceptions have on policy choices? Mark L. Haas focuses on how ideology shapes perception. He does not delineate the content of particular ideologies, but rather the degree of difference among them. Degree of ideological difference is, he believes, the crucial factor as leaders decide which nations threaten and which bolster their state's security and their own domestic power. These threat perceptions will in turn impel leaders to make particular foreign-policy choices. Haas examines great-power relations in five periods: the 1790s in Europe, the Concert of Europe (1815–1848), the 1930s in Europe, Sino-Soviet relations from 1949 to 1960, and the end of the Cold War. In each case he finds a clear relationship between the degree of ideological differences that divided state leaders and those leaders' perceptions of threat level (and so of appropriate foreign-policy choices). These relationships held in most cases, regardless of the nature of the ideologies in question, the offense-defense balance, and changes in the international distribution of power. | How do leaders perceive threat levels in world politics, and what effects do those perceptions have on policy choices? Mark L. Haas focuses on how ideology shapes perception. He does not delineate the content of particular ideologies, but rather the degree of difference among them. Degree of ideological difference is, he believes, the crucial factor as leaders decide which nations threaten and which bolster their state's security and their own domestic power. These threat perceptions will in turn impel leaders to make particular foreign-policy choices. Haas examines great-power relations in five periods: the 1790s in Europe, the Concert of Europe (1815–1848), the 1930s in Europe, Sino-Soviet relations from 1949 to 1960, and the end of the Cold War. In each case he finds a clear relationship between the degree of ideological differences that divided state leaders and those leaders' perceptions of threat level (and so of appropriate foreign-policy choices). These relationships held in most cases, regardless of the nature of the ideologies in question, the offense-defense balance, and changes in the international distribution of power.

ideology Has Long Been Regarded As Playing A Key Role In Explaining International Conflict, But Mark L. Haas Offers A New And Sophisticated Argument About How Ideology Shapes International Politics. Marshalling An Impressive Amount Of Historical Detail, Haas Highlights Three Possible Mechanisms By Which Ideological Distance Between Nations Can Lead To Conflict: Demonstration Effects, Conflict Probability, And Communication.-michael Desch, Robert M. Gates Chair In Intelligence And National Security Decision-making, Texas A&m University

This Book Takes A Gigantic Step Forward In Demonstrating How Relative Identities, Or What Mark L. Haas Calls Domestic Ideological Similarities And Differences, Influence State Behavior As Much As Relative Power. Meticulous Case Studies From The Napoleonic Wars, Concert Of Europe, Interwar Period, And Cold War Uncover Fascinating Evidence That Realist Historians Missed. The Ideological Origins Of Great Power Politics, 1789-1989 Is A Must-read For All Theoretical Schools Of International Relations.-henry R. Nau, George Washington University, Author Of At Home Abroad: Identity And Power In American Foreign Policy

foreign Affairs

realist Theory Claims That Nations Are Motivated By Considerations Of Power. In This Impressive Study, Haas Contends That Ideology Has Played A Far Greater Role In Shaping Politics Among Major States Over The Last Two Centuries Than Realism Expects. Searching For A Systematic Impact, Haas Argues That The Degree Of Ideological Distance Between Great Powers Has Been Crucial In How Their Leaders Define Interests And Perceive Threats. It Is Not The Content Of A State's Ideology — Defined As Its Prevailing Political Principles — That Matters So Much As It Is The Ideological Affinities Or Differences Between States. Haas Expects That, Like Birds Of A Feather, Similar Sorts Of States, Regardless Of Whether They Are Liberal, Monarchist, Communist, Or Fascist, Will Tend To Flock Together. Most Of His Book Presents Historical Explorations Of European Great-power Relations, As Well As Sino-soviet Relations After 1949. Austria, Prussia, And Russia Found Common Cause After The Napoleonic Wars, And The Revolutionary Ideologies Of France And The Soviet Union Made Other States Fear Contagion And Falling Dominoes. Of Course, Ideological Foes Did Fight Together Against Hitler, And Communist States Have Famously Quarreled. In The End, Haas Is Most Convincing In Showing That Power And Ideology Operate Together In Shaping Perceptions Of Threats And Interests.

How do leaders perceive threat levels in world politics, and what effects do those perceptions have on policy choices? Mark L. Haas focuses on how ideology shapes perception. He does not delineate the content of particular ideologies, but rather the degree of difference among them. Degree of ideological difference is, he believes, the crucial factor as leaders decide which nations threaten and which bolster their state's security and their own domestic power. These threat perceptions will in turn impel leaders to make particular foreign-policy choices. Haas examines great-power relations in five periods: the 1790s in Europe, the Concert of Europe (1815–1848), the 1930s in Europe, Sino-Soviet relations from 1949 to 1960, and the end of the Cold War. In each case he finds a clear relationship between the degree of ideological differences that divided state leaders and those leaders' perceptions of threat level (and so of appropriate foreign-policy choices). These relationships held in most cases, regardless of the nature of the ideologies in question, the offense-defense balance, and changes in the international distribution of power.

How Do Leaders Perceive Threat Levels In World Politics, And What Effects Do Those Perceptions Have On Policy Choices? Mark L. Haas Focuses On How Ideology Shapes Perception. He Does Not Delineate The Content Of Particular Ideologies, But Rather The Degree Of Difference Among Them. Degree Of Ideological Difference Is, He Believes, The Crucial Factor As Leaders Decide Which Nations Threaten And Which Bolster Their State's Security And Their Own Domestic Power. These Threat Perceptions Will In Turn Impel Leaders To Make Particular Foreign-policy Choices.--jacket. Ideological Similarities And Differences And Leaders' Perceptions Of Threat -- The Three Wars Of The French Revolution -- The Concert Of Europe, 1815-48 -- The 1930s And The Origins Of The Second World War -- The Rise And Fall Of The Sino-soviet Alliance, 1949-60 -- The 1980s And The End Of The Cold War. Mark L. Haas. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.