Honor, Symbols, and War

"Many theorists see symbolism as peripheral compared to resources, interests, military power, and alliances. Those who think about norms, ideas, and institutions tend to be open to the importance of symbolism, but they have not drawn out its details. In Honor, Symbols, and War, Barry O'Neill has put symbolism at the center of the discussion. O'Neill uses the mathematical theory of games to study a network of concepts important in international negotiation and conflict resolution: symbolism, honor, face, prestige, insults, and apologies. His analysis clarifies the symbolic dynamics of several phenomena, including leadership, pre-negotiation maneuvers, crisis tension, and arms-control agreements."--BOOK JACKET. "Honor, Symbols, and War will be of interest to political scientists, in particular those involved with game theory and international relations. Its findings also will prove useful to persons studying cultural anthropology, sociology, social psychology, and political behavior."--BOOK JACKET.