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Under which circumstances will formerly hostile parties come together and choose a peaceful settlement over a further escalation of violence? And how can mediators foster these conciliatory circumstances? These questions lie at the very heart of conflict studies. Psychological models, however, have traditionally played only a minor role in this particular discipline. Social psychologist Dean G. Pruitt aims to correct this underrepresentation by employing the conflict parties´ own perceptions and cognitive processes to explain the beginning and cessation of war. In order to assess the scientific value of Pruitt´s contentious "Readiness Theory", this book puts the unorthodox approach to a scientific test. Against the backdrop of the conflict in Chechnya and the North Caucasus, the book applies Readiness Theory and its cognitive mechanisms to the Chechen wars. Using a qualitative research design and a broad variety of source material, the main actors´ dispositions and perceptions are analyzed and the theory´s predictions evaluated. The results show that Readiness Theory and its cognitive variables are inadequate as an explanatory model for conflict studies.

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Dennis Ikas studied Political and Administrative Science at the University of Konstanz and specialized in international conflict studies. After a study visit at Queen´s University Belfast, he participates in the International Relations programme at Leiden University.

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