Abstract
In Man, the State and War, Kenneth N. Waltz claims that for a peace prescription to be valid, it must be based on a proper view of the causes of war. Waltz analyzes the validity of three basic causes of war: man himself, the characteristics of the nation-state, and the international system.
I have examined the views of Elder Stephen L Richards on peace and war in the context of the Waltz framework. Elders Richards believed that the failings of men were the primary causes of war. His prescription for peace was widespread acceptance of the Gospel. He disagreed with the Waltz view that men are unchanging and that peace plans based on the reform of men are futile. Elder Richards' views coincided with Waltz' that democracies are more likely to be peaceful than dictatorships. He recognized, too, that aspects of the international system contribute to conflict. Elder Richards was ambivalent, however, about the prospects of the Gospel being accepted by enough people for peace to be established.
Degree
MA
College and Department
David M. Kennedy Center
Rights
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Stirling, Gordon John, "Elder Stephen L. Richards on Peace and War: An Examination of Elder Richards' Views on the Causes of War and his Prescription for Peace, Based on the Analytical Framework Contained in Kenneth N. Waltz' Man, the State and War" (1985). Theses and Dissertations. 5143.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5143
Date Submitted
1985
Document Type
Thesis
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etdm690
Keywords
Kenneth Neal Waltz, 1924-, state, war, Stephen L. Richards, War, Religious aspects, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Language
English
Included in
Military and Veterans Studies Commons, Mormon Studies Commons, Political Science Commons