ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the theoretical and empirical issues raised by both neorealism and strategic culture, and considers their implications for the future strategic realm. In terms of identifying the perennial patterns of international life, then, neorealism has provided for many a benchmark that not only explains the strategic realm of state-interaction, but also gives guidance to those tasked with responding to the dilemmas that this realm inevitably generates. Like neorealism, democratic peace theory (DPT) has a strong predictive component associated with it: but unlike neorealism, DPT locates its focus at the state level of analysis rather than the international systemic one. The book intentionally contextualises the debate concerning strategic culture because of the problems confronting researchers adopting this position, especially when addressing neorealist assumptions.
