Man, the State, and War

"Man, the State, and War" is a book by philosopher Kenneth Waltz that explores why conflicts occur. It examines three levels of analysis: individual (man), which considers human nature's role; the state (the nation), focusing on internal political and economic factors; and the international system (war), emphasizing how the structure of international relations influences conflict. Waltz argues that the global system’s anarchic nature—lacking a central authority—primarily drives states towards conflict, as each seeks security in a competitive environment. The book aims to understand war's causes and how to prevent it by analyzing these interconnected levels.