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Scholars frequently portray World War II as an epic morality play driven by a villain (Hitler) and a sinner (Chamberlain). This book offers a fresh approach, combining both the attributes of states and the structure of the international system to explain the origins and causes of World War II. Central to the analysis is the argument that the structure of the international system was tripolar - with Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States as the three central powers - and not multipolar and that this needs to be considered in any examination of the antecedent causes and crucial events of the war. Recognizing that both systems and human agents make history, the author presents an amended balance-of-power theory, a balance-of-interests theory - that distinguishes great powers by their relative material strength and the value they place on the status quo. This systems framework is used to examine and explain the dynamics of tripolar systems; how states respond to threats and opportunities; Hitler's strategy of global dominion; and the foreign policy strategies of the other major powers before and during the war.

Antithesis --- Balance des pouvoirs --- Balance of power --- Coexistence --- Contrariety --- Coëxistence pacifique --- Foreign affairs --- Foreign policy --- Interdependence of nations --- International relations --- Internationale betrekkingen --- Machtsevenwicht --- Opposites --- Ordre mondial --- Peaceful coexistence --- Polariteit --- Polarity --- Polarité --- Power [Balance of ] --- Power politics --- Puissances [Équilibre des ] --- Relations internationales --- Vreedzame coëxistentie --- Wereldorde --- World order --- Équilibre des pouvoirs --- Équilibre des puissances --- Équilibre international --- History as a science --- World history --- anno 1900-1999 --- 812 Ideologie --- 813 Methodologie --- 820 Internationale Betrekkingen --- 822.6 Militaire Bondgenootschappen --- 823 Diplomatie --- 826 Imperialisme, Kolonialisme --- 827 Geopolitiek --- 855.1 Strategie --- 855 Oorlogsvoering --- 882.4 Noord-Amerika --- 883.2 Oost-Azië --- 884.1 Oost-Europa --- 884.2 Noord-Europa --- 884.3 Zuid-Europa --- 884.4 West-Europa --- Dialectic --- Opposition, Theory of --- Foreign relations --- Global governance --- International affairs --- National security --- Sovereignty --- World politics --- Power, Balance of --- Political realism --- Polarity.