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Status Deficits and War

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  • Renshon, Jonathan

Abstract

Despite widespread agreement that status matters, there is relatively little in the way of focused research on how and when it matters. Relying on the assumption that it “matters” has provided few extant theories of variation in states’ concern for status and little understanding of its specific implications for international conflict. I introduce a theory of status dissatisfaction (SD) that clarifies who forms the basis for status comparisons in world politics, when status concerns should be paramount, and how they are linked to international conflict. I demonstrate the viability of conflict as a strategy for status enhancement: both initiation and victory bring substantial status benefits over both five- and ten-year periods. Using a new, network-based measure of international status, I demonstrate that status deficits are significantly associated with an increased probability of war and militarized interstate dispute (MID) initiation. Even internationally, status is local: I use “community detection” algorithms to recover status communities and show that deficits within those communities are particularly salient for states and leaders.

Suggested Citation

  • Renshon, Jonathan, 2016. "Status Deficits and War," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 70(3), pages 513-550, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:intorg:v:70:y:2016:i:03:p:513-550_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Horowitz & Joshua A Schwartz & Matthew Fuhrmann, 2022. "Who’s prone to drone? A global time-series analysis of armed uninhabited aerial vehicle proliferation," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 39(2), pages 119-142, March.
    2. Magnus Lundgren, 2018. "Taking center stage: Decoding status hierarchies from group photos of European leaders," European Union Politics, , vol. 19(4), pages 549-569, December.
    3. Asif Efrat & Omer Yair, 2023. "International rankings and public opinion: Compliance, dismissal, or backlash?," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 607-629, October.
    4. Chao Xie, 2019. "How Status-seeking States Can Cooperate: Explaining India–China Rapprochement After the Doklam Standoff," India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, , vol. 75(2), pages 172-189, June.
    5. Phil Baxter & Jenna Jordan & Lawrence Rubin, 2018. "How small states acquire status: A social network analysis," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 21(3), pages 191-213, September.
    6. Hakan Mehmetcik & Ferit Belder, 2021. "The Past as a Benchmark in Defining Turkey’s Status Politics," Contemporary Review of the Middle East, , vol. 8(2), pages 168-192, June.
    7. Stacie E. Goddard, 2020. "Revolution from the Inside: Institutions, Legitimation Strategies, and Rhetorical Pathways of Institutional Change," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 11(S3), pages 83-92, October.
    8. Spencer L Willardson & Richard AI Johnson, 2022. "Arms transfers and international relations theory: Situating military aircraft sales in the broader IR context," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 39(2), pages 191-213, March.
    9. Allison Carnegie & Lindsay R. Dolan, 2021. "The effects of rejecting aid on recipients’ reputations: Evidence from natural disaster responses," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 495-519, July.
    10. Nadav G Shelef & Yael Zeira, 2023. "International recognition and support for violence among nonpartisans," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 60(4), pages 588-603, July.

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