Paul K. Huth is Professor at the Department of Political Science and Senior Research Scientist at the University of Michigan. Todd L. Allee is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Political Science of the University of Michigan.

• 1. Another study of democracy and international conflict?; 2. Pathways to conflict escalation and resolution in international disputes; 3. The international strategic context; 4. Domestic institutions and the political accountability model; 5. Domestic institutions and the political norms model; 6. Domestic institutions and the political affinity model; 7. Empirical results for decisions to challenge the status quo; 8. Empirical results for decisions to offer concessions in negotiations; 9. Empirical results for decisions to escalate with military force; 10. What have we learned about the democratic peace?

'It's a very impressive accomplishment: an analytical and empirical milestone in the analysis of international conflict. The authors give us the basis for identifying who is likely to do what in the stage-by-stage unfolding of events from peace to war, and the conditions under which leaders may reverse direction and return to peace.' Professor Bruce Russett, Yale University