Book Review

Understanding International Conflicts

Joseph S. Nye, Jr.

“Understanding International Conflicts” is a book which introduces the study of

world politics. It talks about the conflict and cooperation among international actors
through combines the history and theory. This book provides student an
understanding of the framework of current international affairs. “Understanding
International Conflicts” describes the World War I to modern terrorism, the
information revolution and much other content for global governance. It also put
forward and answers the important issue of the future development of the
international relations. The professor in Harvard University Stanley Hoffmann thinks
that “Understanding International Conflicts” is the best book for the student study
world politics. He thinks that it combines the history, political philosophy, political
theory and analysis perfectly.
“Understanding International Conflicts” is a not long world political book. If you read
it, you will find that this book is simple and easy to understand. Joseph S. Nye use
rich literature to express clear views rather than piling up lots of material to give
readers daunting. He uses simple language and historical examples to illustrate the
concepts obscure. Although at the outset, the title “conflict” makes me think that
this book includes only parts of international relations between States disagreements,
wars or other conflicts. However, the scope of this book is very broad and covers all
aspects of international relations.
At the beginning of the book, the author presents a whole book proposition: Is that
the conflict exists in the world politics permanently? He analyzes the “History of the
Peloponnesian War”, two World Wars, the Cold War and post-Cold War international
situation. There are different forms of international conflicts. The book introduces
three mainstream views: realism, liberalism and constructivism. Realism is that the
state is the major actors; the core of international relations is war and use of force.
Liberalism emphasizes the country as part of the action of the global community. The
global community is the interaction between the national stages. Constructivism
stressed the importance of the social dimension of factors, ideas and culture. Joseph
S. Nye believes that there is no doctrine is entirely accurate.
Although the first two chapters is all theory and the rest is almost history, Joseph S.
Nye did exactly combine the theoretical and practical together. After lots of the
theoretical vocabulary, he mainly uses them in three events: the First World War,
Second World War and the Cold War. As a whole, the author didn’t expect the reader
have good historical knowledge. If you can sort these three events, you can
understand some of their occurrence and won’t get lost in his narrative. Joseph S.
Nye made a great job of explaining the background. He links up the event with
appropriate time while the application of the theoretical concepts is also very good.
After discussing the basic theory and concept, Joseph S. Nye started take about the
20th century. Good textbook books meet three conditions: the systematic and
theoretical, material abundance and explain clarity. This book no doubt meets all
three conditions. There are many theories about economics, political science,
sociology and communication studies in this book. We can learn much knowledge in
this book.
In this book, the most interesting part I think is the "Counterfactual Thinking" It is a
very useful concept. We often use this method. An event has many reasons to
happen but which one is most important? We can use "Counterfactual thinking" to
change one of the conditions and see what happen. For example, it is considered a
great relationship of Hitler launched the World War II. So we can think, “If it is not
Hitler but instead of Bismarck, will the World War II happen? Or it will not launch the
two fronts?" This approach is actually like the experiment in the science laboratory.
To control other variables or tell variable to change and see what will happen. This
concept is interesting and useful.
Why we analyze and understanding the international conflict? I think we want to
build a peaceful world environment. In United States, there is a teacher called John
Hunter. He promoted a political simulation game “World Peace" and let the children
to simulate the state leaders to deal with the threat of economic, social and
environmental crises, war games. If the children can achieve world peace, he wins. In
this game, children show political wisdom and understanding of peace. Mr. Hunter
said" if only they can learn something good for the world, they may save us all." I am
exactly agree with him.
I think that this book is interesting. After I read book, I find that everything can link to
this book. For example, I just watch the movie of Hunger Game. I think that it is
interesting because many things in this Hunger Gamer can link to this book.
"Understanding international conflicts" give me a new perspective and additional
information to understand the world now.