Perils of Anarchy Contemporary Realism and International Security

Current debates about the nature of international politics have centered on the clash between supporters and critics of realism. The Perils of Anarchybrings together a number of recent essays written in the realist tradition. It includes realist interpretations of the collapse of the Cold War order and of the emerging order that has replaced it, the sources of alignment and aggression, and the causes of peace. A final section provides a counterpoint by raising criticisms of and alternatives to the realist approach. Contributors:Charles L. Glaser. Christopher Layne. Peter Liberman. Lisa L. Martin. John J. Mearsheimer. Paul Schroeder. Randall Schweller. Stephen M. Walt. Kenneth N. Waltz. William C. Wohlforth. Fareed Zakaria. An International SecurityReader

Michael E. Brown is Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

Sean M. Lynn-Jones is Editor of International Security, the International Security Program's quarterly journal. He is also series editor of the Belfer Center Studies in International Security, the Program's book series that is published by MIT Press.

Steven E. Miller is director of the International Security Program at the Belfer Center.