Despite occasional onses of real peace, war has been the dominant and persistent theme of man's history. In a series of brilliant, closely rea soned essays. Staniey Hoffmann offers a penetrating study of our efforts, theoretical or otherwise, to make this "state of war" less acces sary, less savage, or less possible.
Writing in a lucid, lively style and with a clear understanding of what is timely and important in the 1960's, Mr. Hoffmann appraises modern theoretical analyses and the lessons that can be learned from earlier. patterns and theories of world politics and international law. He exam incs anew the lessous of history and the insights of political philosophy. showing the relevance of works by Hobbes and Rousseau and, later.
Raymond Aron to any valid theory of international relations Turning from the theoretical concepts and history of international politics and law to present-day events, Mr. Hoffmann studies the nature and the failings-of current American foreign policy. He asks: What restraints has the nuclear age placed on the makers of this policy? What freedoms have been left to them? Have nuclear weapons drastically transformed the state of war and the game of international rivalry? Or dres waditional competition among nations-the unavoid able "state of war" still persist, although at a higher level of risk and with new rules that allow the players to keep playing despite the
change in stakes?
With an unerring sense for the basic realities of contemporary international life, Mr. Hoffmann has written a study that encompasses both the unique and the historic features of the present international system.
both the factors of stability and the forces of disruption in our world. His conclusions and the questions they provoke-make THE STATE OF WAR an important theoretical and practical contribution to man's study of his world.