Despots, democrats, and the determinants of international conflict / Martin Sherman ; foreword by Shabtai Shavit.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Foreword / Shabtai Shavit -- Pt. I. The Development of the Theory. The Nature and Function of Scientific Theory. Theory in the Social Sciences. Theoretical Endeavour in the Field of Linkage Politics. Setting Out the Conceptual Foundations. Specifying the Ideal-Types and Assembling the Model. Domestic Structure and Foreign Policy. A Review of the Theoretical Findings -- Pt. II. The Empirical Testing. The Coupling of the Theoretical Findings with Empirical Observations - The Methodological Rationale. The Justification Programme. The Falsification Programme -- Pt. III. The Policy Implications. The Conceptual Frame of Reference. The Rational Model - Criticism and Vindication. Political Structure and the Variance of Rational Choice Behaviour. Domestic Political Structure and Risk Preference: The Implications for Rational Choice and Foreign Policy Formulation. Domestic Political Structure and Decision Criteria: The Implications for Rational Choice and Foreign Policy Formulation. Some Operational Implications.