Revolutionary Contagion and International Politics

Rezensionen / Stimmen

Using historical examples, Nelson (Brigham Young Univ.) develops a theory of international relations centered on ideological conflicts between states that originate from an established state's fears that a revolutionary movement in a foreign state will spread to its borders and threaten the status quo...The book's detailed analysis of these case studies is a worthwhile contribution to the vast literature theorizing the causes of revolution, how revolution spreads, and the subsequent reaction. * Choice * This book greatly advances our understanding of when relations among international ideological enemies are likely to be hostile. The argument is of high importance for both theory and policy, including helping to predict the likelihood of a coming ideological clash between the United States and China." -Mark L. Haas, Duquesne University, and author of Frenemies Nelson gives us the deepest and broadest treatment yet of how fears of revolutionary contagion affect international relations. By elucidating mechanisms and examining historical cases with care, he shows how governments that fear a revolution is coming their way become hostile to the source country and find new and unexpected foreign allies to combat it. A convincing and timely book." -John Owen, University of Virginia In this lucid and historically rich book, Nelson breaks important new ground in our understanding of how ideology shapes cooperation in international relations. By drawing attention to the conditions that give rise to leader fears of revolutionary contagion, Nelson forcefully and convincingly goes beyond standard accounts to systematically demonstrate the critical role of domestic politics in explaining how ideology affects alignment between states across history. In sum, this book is a brilliant addition to the study of international relations." -C. William Walldorf, Jr., Wake Forest University