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Arms Race Theory

Strategy and Structure of Behaviour

Hardcover

Published: 12th July 1989
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For most of the twentieth century, social scientists have attempted to understand the causes of military competition. From this struggle has evolved the Richardson Tradition of Arms Race Analysis, a distinct body of scientific literature that uses a variety of mathematical techniques and theoretical ideas to solve the puzzle of what drives military interaction among nations. Etcheson explores this intellectual journey and projects the paths along which the Richardson Tradition must go if it is to obtain its objective: understanding and control of potentially unnecessary organized social violence.

"Arms Race Theory" examines thoroughly the literature of the Richardson Tradition, from the writings of Lewis Fry Richardson through the most recent attempts of his students to resolve the fundamental questions about interaction in arms races. Etcheson documents the application of the procedures of positive physical science to social problems and identifies the reasons why Richardson and his students have been frustrated in their efforts. According to the author, students of the Richardson Tradition adhere to an atomistic and reductionist perspective that denies the relevance of human values and intentions. He focuses on the idea of strategy as a gateway to an understanding of the social causes of arms accumulation. Etcheson prepares the way for a new phase in the Richardson Tradition by identifying new theoretical foci and methodological techniques. His analysis, coupled with the most comprehensive bibliography of the literature of the Richardson Tradition currently available, is a significant contribution to the growing body of scholarship in peace research and international relations theory.

Introduction: Strategy and the Structure of Behavior in Arms Races
The Problem of Interaction in Arms Accumulation
Theories of Interaction in Arms Accumulation Methods for Representing
Interaction in Arms Accumulation A Computational Model of Arms
Accumulation Strategies of Arms Accumulation Research
Summary and Conclusions on Armaments Accumulation
The Richlit Dbms
Documentation on ARES System
Documentation on ARES Code
Selected Bibliography
Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 9780313262548
ISBN-10: 0313262543
Series: Contributions in Military Studies
Audience: Tertiary; University or College
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 264
Published: 12th July 1989
Publisher: ABC-Clio
Volume Number: 87
Dimensions (cm): 23.4 x 15.6  x 1.5
Weight (kg): 0.544