'The work explores, from a philosophical basis, the various aspects of rationality, as well as its inherent dilemmas, as applied to the study of the arms race as well as to that of alliances, in most cases ending up with persuasively common sense-like suggestions … the work is not overburdened with mathematical formulae, but for the most part written in a fluent style, appealing to the layman as well as the specialist.' Nod and Conversion

• Preface; Introduction: rationality and the analysis of conflict; Part I. Conflict: 1. Concepts of conflict; 2. Social science and the study of conflict; Part II. Rational Behaviour: 3. Rationality and Conflict; 4. Conflict and the paradoxes of rationality; 5. The zero-sum game: solutions and interpretations; 6. Emotion and rationality; 7. International crises: the warping of rationality; Rational behaviour and rational choice: an assessment; Part III. Rational Belief: Some Topics in Conflict Analysis: 8. The statistical analysis of warlike phenomena; 9. Arms and arms races; 10. Ecology and the free-rider; 11. The theory of alliances; Part IV. Conclusion: 12. The critics; 13. Social science and values; References; Index.

'The work explores, from a philosophical basis, the various aspects of rationality, as well as its inherent dilemmas, as applied to the study of the arms race as well as to that of alliances, in most cases ending up with persuasively common sense-like suggestions … the work is not overburdened with mathematical formulae, but for the most part written in a fluent style, appealing to the layman as well as the specialist.' Nod and Conversion

• Preface; Introduction: rationality and the analysis of conflict; Part I. Conflict: 1. Concepts of conflict; 2. Social science and the study of conflict; Part II. Rational Behaviour: 3. Rationality and Conflict; 4. Conflict and the paradoxes of rationality; 5. The zero-sum game: solutions and interpretations; 6. Emotion and rationality; 7. International crises: the warping of rationality; Rational behaviour and rational choice: an assessment; Part III. Rational Belief: Some Topics in Conflict Analysis: 8. The statistical analysis of warlike phenomena; 9. Arms and arms races; 10. Ecology and the free-rider; 11. The theory of alliances; Part IV. Conclusion: 12. The critics; 13. Social science and values; References; Index.