By approaching an important foreign policy issue from a new angle, Jonathan Mercer comes to a startling, controversial discovery: a nation's reputation is not worth fighting for. He presents the most comprehensive examination to date of what defines a reputation, when it is likely to emerge in international politics, and with what consequences. Mercer examines reputation formation in a series of crises before World War I. He tests competing arguments, one from deterrence theory, the other from social psychology, to see which better predicts and explains how reputations form. Extending his findings to address recent crises such as the Gulf War, he also considers how culture, gender, and nuclear weapons affect reputation. Throughout history, wars have been fought in the name of reputation. Mercer rebuts this politically powerful argument, shows that reputations form differently than we thought, and offers policy advice to decision-makers.

About the Author

Jonathan Mercer is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington.

Reviews

A book full of fascinating and suggestive insights into the cognitive processes relevant to international relations.

-- Steve Rosen * American Political Science Review *

Mercer's argument is a welcome addition to the theoretical literature because it represents the first clear statement of a non-rational, choice-based theory of reputations.

-- Paul Huth * Security Studies *

Mercer's startling challenge to accepted wisdom deserves wide attention.

-- Patrick Morgan * The Mershon Review *

This imaginative and provocative book is an important contribution to a long-neglected question and is essential reading for any historian or international relations theorist interested in the role of reputation in international politics.

-- Jack Levy * International History Review *

This excellent book is well written, detailed, and thought-provoking.

* Choice *


Awards
Winner of Winner of the 1997 Edgar S. Furniss Award (Mershon.



Book Information
ISBN 9780801474897
Author Jonathan Mercer
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Cornell University Press
Publisher Cornell University Press
Weight(grams) 454g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 18mm