Major Power Interstate Conflict in the Post-World War II Era: an Increase, a Decrease, or No Change?

Abstract

HE SECOND World War is often regarded as a watershed in world history. Observers have pointed to a number of changes in the global system that occurred after its conclusion: the emergence of bipolar system structure, along with new contenders for international leadership; the invention (and subsequent proliferation) of weapons of extreme power; and the explosion of new nation-states that has created a truly global system. But have these changes been accompanied by changes in behavior between nation states? This paper will investigate one aspect of interstate behaviormilitary conflict involving the major powers-and ascertain whether the time period 1946-1976 was marked by a sharp change in the amount of this conflict, as compared to the period 1816-1945.