Author: Michael. D. Wallace
Publisher/Publication: International Studies Quarterly
Volume/Issue: 26 (1)
DOI/ISBN: 10.2307/2600598
Abstract: Michael Wallace tests the “preparedness” and “overpreparedness” competing hypotheses through a comparative empirical analysis of serious great power disputes since 1816. His findings do not offer support for the view of “overpreparedness” as a trigger for war. Instead, he suggests that the existence of an arms race prior to a dispute is strongly associated with escalation to all-out-war. Part of the Wallace-Diehl debate on the quantitative study of arms races.