The great powers and the international system

In this book, Bear F. Braumoeller argues that both leaders and historical forces play crucial roles in shaping international relations.

He develops a systemic theory that integrates the microfoundations of citizens’ preferences with the macro-level interactions among great powers.

The book examines historical periods such as the Congress of Vienna, the interwar period, and the end of the Cold War to provide empirical evidence for his arguments.

Braumoeller's work addresses the long-standing debate over the primacy of agency or structure in international relations, offering a nuanced perspective that highlights the mutual constitution and causal interaction between agents and structures.