Gary Goertz

To develop theories and research designs requires concepts. Gary Goertz provides advice on the construction and use of social science concepts and their use in case selection and theories. He also cites examples from political science and sociology to illustrate the theoretical and practical issues of concept construction and use.

A User's Guide

Social Science Concepts

Jack Levy

This edited volume focuses on the use of ‘necessary condition counterfactuals’ in explaining two key events in twentieth century history, the origins of the First World War and the end of the Cold War. Containing essays by leading figures in the field, this book analyzes the causal logics of necessary and sufficient conditions, demonstrates the variety of different ways in which necessary condition counterfactuals are used to explain the causes of individual events, and identifies errors commonly made in applying this form of causal logic to individual events. It includes discussions of causal chains, contingency, critical junctures, and ‘powder keg’ explanations, and the role of necessary conditions in each. Explaining War and Peace will be of great interest to students of qualitative analysis, the First World War, the Cold War, international history and international relations theory in general.

Case Studies and Necessary Condition Counterfactuals

Explaining War and Peace

Harvey Starr

This anthology is devoted to the implications of necessary conditions for social science research, logic, methodology, research design, and theory. Rarely is the contrast between the prevalence of a concept in scholarship and its absence in methodology texts so wide. This book presents hundreds of necessary condition hypotheses representing all areas of political science and all methodologies, and authored by many of the most influential political scientists of the last 50 years. This volume brings together under one cover essential work that deals not only with the analysis of common methodological, logical, and research design errors, but also the proper means to analyse the many ramifications of necessary condition hypotheses and theories.

Theory, Methodology, and Applications

Necessary Conditions

Alexandru Balas

The Puzzle of Peace moves beyond defining peace as the absence of war and develops a broader conceptualization and explanation for the increasing peacefulness of the international system. The authors track the rise of peace as a new phenomenon in international history starting after 1945. International peace has increased because international society has developed a set of norms dealing with territorial conflict, by far the greatest source of international war over previous centuries. These norms prohibit the use of military force in resolving territorial disputes and acquiring territory, thereby promoting border stability. This includes the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by military means as well as attempts by secessionist groups to form states through military force. International norms for managing international conflict have been accompanied by increased mediation and adjudication as means of managing existing territorial conflicts.

The Evolution of Peace in the International System

The Puzzle of Peace

Jack S. Levy

This edited volume focuses on the use of 'necessary condition counterfactuals' in explaining two key events in twentieth century history, the origins of the First World War and the end of the Cold War. Containing essays by leading figures in the field, this book analyzes the causal logics of necessary and sufficient conditions, demonstrates the variety of different ways in which necessary condition counterfactuals are used to explain the causes of individual events, and identifies errors commonly made in applying this form of causal logic to individual events. It includes discussions of causal chains, contingency, critical junctures, and 'powder keg' explanations, and the role of necessary conditions in each. Explaining War and Peace will be of great interest to students of qualitative analysis, the First World War, the Cold War, international history and international relations theory in general.

James Mahoney

Some in the social sciences argue that the same logic applies to both qualitative and quantitative methods. In A Tale of Two Cultures, Gary Goertz and James Mahoney demonstrate that these two paradigms constitute different cultures, each internally coherent yet marked by contrasting norms, practices, and toolkits. They identify and discuss major differences between these two traditions that touch nearly every aspect of social science research, including design, goals, causal effects and models, concepts and measurement, data analysis, and case selection. Although focused on the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, Goertz and Mahoney also seek to promote toleration, exchange, and learning by enabling scholars to think beyond their own culture and see an alternative scientific worldview. This book is written in an easily accessible style and features a host of real-world examples to illustrate methodological points.

Qualitative and Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences

A Tale of Two Cultures

Paul F. Diehl

Associate Provost and Director of Teaching-Learning Initiatives Paul F Diehl

How do enduring rivalries between states affect international relations?

War and Peace in International Rivalry

This book presents a punctuated equilibrium framework for understanding the nature of policy decision-making by governments as well as a theory on the creation, functioning, and evolution of international norms and institutions.

Gary Goertz

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