| Publication |
2008.
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| Summary/Abstract |
This article frames the discussion of the 'state of war' in this issue of International Affairs. Beginning by noting the continued recurrence of 'traditional' modes of war along side so-called 'new wars' and calling to aid Rousseau's brutal satire of 1756, The state of war, the article offers a discussion of three 'responses' to the reality of war in international relations-the heroic response, the realpolitik response and the compassionate response-and argues that a synthesis between them characterizes the general approach to war in any historical period. It then considers how the contemporary synthesis might be viewed and offers thoughts on the articles in this issue in the light of this suggestion.
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