Brown's experience as an analyst of national security and arms control for various policy institutes and as consultant to the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, enables him to examine how we can reduce the role of large-scale violence in world society. He builds on the best thoughts of scholars and statesmen concerning the determinants of war and the conditions of peace, and presents a balanced treatment of issues and controversies in the field. He concludes with policy prescriptions set forth in a moderate nonpolemic fashion.

Why people fight -- Violence and governance -- War and reasons of state -- Structural factors -- Coercive diplomacy -- Military arsenals and balances -- Efforts to purge war from the world -- Efforts to reduce the role of war in the international system -- Arms control -- Towards an integrated strategy of war prevention and control.