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Crucible of Beliefs: Learning, Alliances, and World Wars

Published 1 January 1996
Dan Reiter
Citations130

Abstract

Reiter addresses a striking empirical puzzle: Why, in this century, have some small powers chosen to enter alliances when faced with international instability whereas others have stayed neutral? Specifically, why did Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway join NATO, while Sweden, Switzerland, and Ireland did not? Employing quantitative and case study methods, Reiter finds that peacetime decisions about alliance and neutrality stem from states' experiences during world wars

Keywords

Social Sciences