Abstract
Great-power conflict and great-power war are still the most dangerous risks the international community is facing today. This edited volume investigates the feasibility of a modern day concert of powers as a way for managing the risk of great power conflicts in the 21st century. The volume takes its inspiration from history.
The 19th century European Concert was not only able to ensure a period of exceptional peacefulness among the European great powers, it also limited the scope and duration of the few wars that did break out. The chapter authors discuss the achievements and limits of the historical concert, define the requirements that a new concert would have to meet, critically evaluate obstacles and risks of the approach and indicate how a 21st century concert of powers could complement, and fit into, the present legal and institutional setting of global politics.
The 19th century European Concert was not only able to ensure a period of exceptional peacefulness among the European great powers, it also limited the scope and duration of the few wars that did break out. The chapter authors discuss the achievements and limits of the historical concert, define the requirements that a new concert would have to meet, critically evaluate obstacles and risks of the approach and indicate how a 21st century concert of powers could complement, and fit into, the present legal and institutional setting of global politics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Great Power Multilateralism and the Prevention of War - Debating a 21st Century Concert of Powers |
| Editors | Carsten Rauch, Harald Mueller |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Chapter | 15 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781351798112 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781138634435 |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 27 Sept 2017 |