What causes war? How can military conflicts best be prevented? In this book; Stephen Van Evera frames five conditions that increase the risk of interstate war: false optimism about the likely outcome of a war; a first-strike advantage; fluctuation in the relative power of states; circumstances that allow nations to parlay one conquest into another; and circumstances that make conquest easy.According to Van Evera; all but one of these conditions―false optimism―rarely occur today; but policymakers often erroneously believe in their existence. He argues that these misperceptions are responsible for many modern wars; and explores both World Wars; the Korean War; and the 1967 Mideast War as test cases. Finally; he assesses the possibility of nuclear war by applying all five hypotheses to its potential onset. Van Evera's book demonstrates that ideas from the Realist paradigm can offer strong explanations for international conflict and valuable prescriptions for its control.
#691012 in Books John D Caputo 2007-11-01 2007-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .40 x 5.50l; .46 #File Name: 0801031362160 pagesWhat Would Jesus Deconstruct The Good News of Postmodernism for the Church
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. this book found me at a perfect time. With prophetic precisionBy Josiah SolisAs a relatively new student of postmodern philosophy; and as someone who is currently falling off the cliff of rightwing evangelicalism; this book found me at a perfect time. With prophetic precision; Caputo humbly deconstructs a church ("Plan B" as he calls it) that should have been torn down long ago. The institution will likely find this work haunting and threatening; but I can only imagine Caputo would take that as a compliment.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. InterestingBy Kindle CustomerI like Caputo's take on deconstruction as hermeneutics for the kingdom of God. However;I wondered when he asked what would Jesus deconstruct if he actually deconstructed his own Jesus2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Compelling Primer on Deconstruction: listen up Church!By joda86I posted a pretty lengthy review of this book on my blog; but here's a little preview:In What Would Jesus Deconstruct?; John Caputo swings his postmodern wrecking ball - deconstruction - against all the cherished forms of religious thought and practice that masquerade as definitive and absolute. Not only is he willing and able to question all representations of statuesque; codified faith; he does so in the name of Christ and claims that his is good news. Caputo presents deconstruction as a loving tool that frees the Church for authentic metanoia - "a fundamental change of heart"[1] - in its own life and ministry. In his words; deconstruction is the "possibility of the impossible" and is therefore the "hermeneutics of the kingdom of God" - a kingdom where the unlovable are loved.[2] While it may seem risky and a little frightening; Caputo believes that the deconstructive way; the via negativa; is the only way forward if the Church is to embody the good news of the kingdom of God in our world today.You can read the rest here:[...]
