Preface

This volume addresses one of the most important and controversial issues of our time - does global economic integration foster or suppress violent disputes within and between states? Here, research by leading figures in international relations shows that expanding commercial ties between states pacifies some, but not necessarily all, political relationships. The authors demonstrate that the pacific effect of economic integration hinges on democratic structures, the size of the global system, the nature of the trade goods and a reduced influence of the military on political decisions. In sum, the volume demonstrates how important the still fragile "capitalist peace" is.