14. Bargaining and War

This chapter delves into the rationalist paradigm on war, focusing on the puzzle of why rational actors engage in conflict rather than negotiating a settlement. It begins with Fearon’s pioneering work on rationalist explanations for war and explores various bargaining models, including those with dyads and multilateral settings. The text discusses informational asymmetries and commitment problems that lead to war, such as uncertainty about resolve and relative strength. It also covers dynamic bargaining processes and the role of warfare in communicating information. The chapter highlights the work of scholars like Powell, Slantchev, and Fearon, who have contributed to our understanding of how war can resolve these problems and lead to negotiated settlements. Additionally, it provides a unifying perspective on commitment problems and discusses future research directions in the field of bargaining and war.