A Constructivist Interpretation of the Democratic Peace

The democratic peace has attracted a lot of attention in academic literatures, but the factors driving the phenomenon require further examination since a democratic regime does not necessarily adopt a peaceful external behaviour. By employing a constructivist perspective, this book argues that democratic states do not wage war against each other because they have a common identity, constituted by liberal ideas and values. These in turn shape the perceptions of a democracy when it interacts with fellow democracies or non-democratic states in the realm of international politics, leading either to a peaceful or aggressive foreign policy. The present analysis is particularly useful to students of international relations and global politics or to those interested in foreign policy analysis and contemporary state conduct.

Autorentext

Loretta C. Salajan, docteur en politique internationale et titulaire d'une maîtrise en théorie des relations internationales (université d'Aberystwyth), titulaire d'une licence en relations internationales et en politique (université de Sheffield). Chercheuse spécialisée dans l'analyse de la politique étrangère, la théorie des relations internationales, le postcommunisme et la sécurité européenne. Actuellement chargé de cours à l'université occidentale "Vasile Goldis" d'Arad, en Roumanie.