The Causes of Great-Power War

About this Event

What are the causes of great power war? Great power decisions for war are driven largely by balance of power considerations and prevailing military circumstances. Specifically, declining powers in dire military situations instigate “preventive” wars, and rising powers in excellent military situations instigate “productive” wars, against their peers. Similar calculations lead great powers to instigate wars against minor powers. The theory provides a compelling explanation of the origins of most great power wars in the modern period, including the Franco Prussian War 1870 , the Spanish American War 1898 , World War I 1914 , and the Soviet Hungarian War 1956 . Speakers and Presenters Sebastian Rosato, Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame Organize…

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