Mark L. Haas is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Duquesne University.
"Realist theory claims that nations are motivated by considerations of power. In this impressive book, Mark L. Haas contends that ideology has played a far greater role in shaping politics among major states over the last two centuries than realism expects. Searching for a systematic impact, Haas argues that the degree of ideological 'distance' between great powers has been crucial in how their leaders define interests and perceive threats. It is not the content of a state's ideology - defined as its prevailing political principles - that matters so much as it is the ideological affinities or differences between states. Haas expects that, like birds of a feather, similar sorts of states, regardless of whether they are liberal, monarchist, communist, or fascist, will tend to flock together. Haas is most convincing in showing that power and ideology operate together in shaping perceptions of threats and interests."-G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, May 2006 "This is a definite must-read. Haas is an effective writer; each of the case studies is meticulously researched, and the evidence marshaled in support of the hypotheses is impressive. Overall, he makes a strong case for the inclusion of ideological factors, specifically distance, in examining and predicting the behavior of leaders of nation-states toward each other."-Steven B. Redd, Perspectives in Politics, March 2007 "Mark L. Haas offers a new and sophisticated argument about how ideology shapes international politics. Marshalling an impressive amount of historical detail, Haas highlights three possible mechanisms by which ideological distance between nations can lead to conflict: demonstration effects, conflict probability, and communication."-Michael Desch, Robert M. Gates Chair in Intelligence and National Security Decision-Making, Texas A&M University "This book takes a gigantic step forward in demonstrating how relative identities, or what Mark L. Haas calls domestic ideological similarities and differences, influence state behavior as much as relative power. Meticulous case studies from the Wars of the French Revolution, Concert of Europe, interwar period, and Cold War uncover fascinating evidence that realist historians missed. The Ideological Origins of Great Power Politics, 1789-1989 is a must-read for all theoretical schools of international relations."-Henry R. Nau, George Washington University, author of At Home Abroad: Identity and Power in American Foreign Policy "This is an important investigation into the origins of perceived threat. Mark L. Haas argues that the ideological distance between ruling parties in different countries determines the degree of threat they will see from each other. Haas not only makes a case for the importance of ideological beliefs but also shows how these ideological differences interact with relative power-determining when power considerations will be more and less important. It is a useful contribution to the continuing neorealist debate about the origins of perceived threat."-Richard K. Herrmann, The Ohio State University
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