BELFER CENTER STUDIES IN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
September 2003
First to Arrive: State and Local Responses to Terrorism
By Robyn Pangi, Former Research Specialist, Executive Session on Domestic Preparedness, International Security Program and Juliette Kayyem, Member of the Board (on leave), Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Since September 11, 2001, the United States has been preoccupied by the federal role in preparedness against terror attacks and by ways to provide a quick fix through organizational overhauls. First to Arrive argues that the best way for America to prepare for terrorism is to listen to people in the field; those working on the ground can guide decisions at the top.
September, 2003
Progress in International Relations Theory: Appraising the Field
By Miriam Elman, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 1993-1994, 1995-1996, 1999-2001 and Colin Elman, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 1998-2001
This book investigates how international relations theorists can better equip themselves to determine the state of scholarly work in their field. It takes as its starting point Imre Lakatos's influential theory of scientific change, and in particular his methodology of scientific research programs (MSRP). It uses MSRP to organize its analysis of major research programs over the last several decades and uses MSRP's criteria for theoretical progress to evaluate these programs. The contributors appraise the progress of institutional theory, varieties of realist and liberal theory, operational code analysis, and other research programs in international relations.
July, 2003
Comrades No More: The Seeds of Change in Eastern Europe
By Renee de Nevers, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 1995-1998
In 1989, Soviet control over Eastern Europe ended when the communist regimes of the Warsaw Pact collapsed. These momentous and largely bloodless events set the stage for the end of the Cold War and ushered in a new era in international politics. Why did communism collapse relatively peacefully in Eastern Europe? Why did these changes occur in 1989, after more than four decades of communist rule? Why did this upheaval happen almost simultaneously in most of the Warsaw Pact?
January, 2003
Haiti's Turmoil: Politics and Policy Under Aristide and Clinton
By Robert Rotberg, Director, Program on Intrastate Conflict and Conflict Resolution
July 2002
Borders and Brethren: Iran and the Challenge of Azerbaijani Identity
By Brenda Shaffer, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 1999-2000; Former Research Director, Caspian Studies Project, 2004-2007
The Azerbaijani people have been divided between Iran and the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan for more than 150 years, yet they have retained their ethnic identity. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of an independent Azerbaijan have only served to reinforce their collective identity.
Spring 2002
"Limited National and Allied Missile Defense"
International Security, issue 4, volume 26
By James M. Lindsay, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, Spring 1986 and Michael O'Hanlon
The authors claim that in arguing that the costs of a national missile defense outweigh the benefits, Charles Glaser and Steve Fetter underestimate or ignore three possible scenarios that support the development of a limited NMD system.
Spring 2002
"Limited National and Allied Missile Defense"
International Security, issue 4, volume 26
By Charles Glaser, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 1982-1985 and Steve Fetter, Affiliate, Project on Managing the Atom
In an exchange of letters, James Lindsay and Michael O’Hanlon claim that in arguing that the costs of a national missile defense outweigh the benefits, the authors underestimate or ignore three possible scenarios that support the development of a limited NMD system. The authors respond.
Spring 2002
"A Surplus of Men, A Deficit of Peace: Security and Sex Ratios in Asia's Largest States"
International Security, issue 4, volume 26
By Andrea Den Boer and Valerie M. Hudson
The authors trace the rise in offspring sex selection in China and India that has resulted in a "surplus" of young men. They argue that such surpluses of men increase the potential for internal and external violence, while diminishing the prospects for democracy.
Spring 2002
"Russians' Rights Imperiled: Has Anybody Noticed?"
International Security, issue 4, volume 26
The author holds that “even when conditions that scholars have identified as necessary and sufficient for the spread of international norms are present, significant external and internal barriers can slow or otherwise impede their diffusion.”
Spring 2002
"Power, Ideas, and New Evidence on the Cold War's End: A Reply to Brooks and Wohlforth"
International Security, issue 4, volume 26
The author critiques Stephen Brooks and William Wohlforth’s recent article, “Power, Globalization, and the End of the Cold War.” He faults the authors for privileging materialist explanations for the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union to the exclusion of other possible causes—in particular, the influence of “new thinkers” led by Mikhail Gorbachev.
