War and Governance: International Security in a Changing World Order (The Changing Face of War)

An insightful and expert assessment examines how best to end―and avert―wars.

How do we avoid war? To arrive at an answer, master analyst Richard Weitz explores the ways nations, international organizations, and individuals have sought to bring order to an inherently disorderly phenomenon―potential and actual violent conflict among organized political entities.

Specifically, War and Governance: International Security in a Changing World Order analyzes a number of critical issues such as whether regional security institutions have distinct advantages and liabilities in promoting international security, as compared with universal organizations like the United Nations. Other important questions are addressed, as well. How will international organizations, such as the UN, EU, and NATO, change the nature of war in the 21st century―and be changed by it? What role might less formal institutions and nongovernmental organizations play in peacemaking? Will the nation-state remain the most important international security actor? The book ends with a gap analysis that identifies incongruities between international needs and capabilities―and suggests ways to overcome them.

• Short case studies

• A survey of key institutions and sub-organizations

• Maps