Power Parity, Alliance, Differential Growth, and Great Power Wars: An Empirical Research Note

In: Armed forces & society, Band 29, Heft 3, S. 449-459

Abstract

Despite a volume of studies on the relationship between power distribution, the onset of war, and the impact of alliance and differential economic growth rate on the incidence of war, there is no strong conclusion about the issues. We reexamined the relationship between these variables and found that the differential growth rates in alliance-making affect the likelihood of war. This theoretically makes sense because nations are likely to try to increase their allies before they go to war, especially compared to their foes. This small but important finding adds to the literature.