MACMILLAN Leadership in International Relations: The Balance of Power and the Origins of World War II

Using the engaging case of British security policy between the world wars, this book argues that an effective balance of power, which is the key to a stable international system, is a deliberate act of policy and that leaders play a determinative role in building an effective balance. Review "In Leadership in International Relations, Ariel Ilan Roth makes an important contribution to the literature on balance of power by restoring the role of leaders and leadership. Examining Prime Ministers Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain in the 1930s, Roth goes beyond the findings of structural realist theories to account for why Britain did not balance effectively. Roth's account allows the reader to understand how leaders matter in the formulation and the mechanics of the balance of power." - Steven E. Lobell, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Utah "Roth provides a compelling exploration of the interaction between the balance of power and individual leaders. Leadership in International Relations uses rich historical research from 1930s Britain to offer a nuanced description of how leaders can succeed - and fail - in making their countries more secure." - Daniel Byman, Georgetown School of Foreign Service About the Author ARIEL ILAN ROTH is Associate Director of National Security Studies at Johns Hopkins University, USA.