The Aftermath of Defeats in War

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction and Theoretical Framework

   • Ibrahim M. Zabad

   Pages 1-45

3. Egypt: Defeat and the Transformation of State and Society

   • Ibrahim M. Zabad

   Pages 47-107

4. Bulgaria: Defeat and Nationalist Demobilization During the Peasant Era

   • Ibrahim M. Zabad

   Pages 109-152

5. Hungary: The Cult of Defeat

   • Ibrahim M. Zabad

   Pages 153-225

6. The Ottoman Empire/Turkey: Defeat and the Birth of a Nation

   • Ibrahim M. Zabad

   Pages 227-277

7. Defeats, Humiliation, Islamic Fundamentalism, and Political Violence

   • Ibrahim M. Zabad

   Pages 279-296

8. Conclusion

   • Ibrahim M. Zabad

   Pages 297-311

9. Back Matter

   Pages 313-318

   PDF

This book sets out to explain the variation in nations’ reactions to their defeats in war. Typically, we observe two broad reactions to defeat: an inward-oriented response that accepts defeat as a reality and utilizes it as an opportunity for a new beginning, and an outward-oriented one that rejects defeat and invests national energies in restoring what was lost—most likely by force. This volume argues that although defeats in wars are humiliating experiences, those sentiments do not necessarily trigger aggressive nationalism, empower radical parties, and create revisionist foreign policy. Post-defeat, radicalization will be actualized only if it is filtered through three variables: national self-images (inflated or realistic), political parties (strong or weak), and international opportunities and constraints. The author tests this theory on four detailed case studies, Egypt (1967), Turkey/Ottoman Empire, Hungary and Bulgaria (WWI), and Islamic fundamentalism. 

• defeat in war
• defeat aftermath
• nationalism and national self-image
• national humiliation
• radicalization
• domestic radical politics
• Egypt
• Turkey and the Ottoman Empire
• Hungary
• Bulgaria

“Some states reject defeat and seek revenge, adopting radical ideologies and devoting national energies and resources to revisionist foreign policies that include wars of redemption. Others respond by accepting and learning from defeat, viewing it as an opportunity for a new beginning by means of political reforms and cooperative foreign policies. In this lucid and elegant book, Ibrahim Zabad explains this very complex, important, and understudied subject with remarkable clarity and intellectual rigor. By combining insights from theories at various levels of analysis—from national self-images to social-psychological theories of group myths to theories about comparative politics and political parties to structural and neoclassical realism, and by employing careful empirics drawn from richly described cross-case comparisons, The Aftermath of Defeats in War will be a defining book on this topic for years to come.”(Randall Schweller, Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University, USA)

“We know far too little about how states and communities handle defeat. In this pathbreaking and dynamic book, Zabad provides us a historically rich set of case studies in a theoretically sharp argument accounting for the variation in how states manage defeat. Some do so with humiliation and revenge, and yet others, Zabad demonstrates, use defeat as a pivot point for new beginnings. Zabad’s fascinating study is required reading for all scholars and students interested in not only the defeats of the past, but the difficulties of our present.” (Brent J. Steele, Professor and Francis D Wormuth Presidential Chair, Department of Political Science, University of Utah, USA)

“In this groundbreaking book about national identity in vanquished states, Ibrahim Zabad asks an essential question: When does military defeat trigger revisionist and aggressive foreign policies? Empirically rich and theoretically sophisticated, The Aftermath of Defeats in War gives us a much better picture of the political and social trauma generated by defeat and why it leads states to embrace militant foreign policies or reform and moderation.” (Steven E. Lobell, Professor of Political Science, University of Utah, USA)

“In The Aftermaths of Defeats in War, Dr. Zabad engages a woefully under-studied aspect of war with careful theorizing and empirical work on how states respond to loss in war. By moving beyond defeat leading to humiliation and revanchism, this book challenges the conventional wisdom in international relations scholarship and will no doubt be of interest to many that wish to better understand the effects of defeat.” (Paul Fritz, Associate Professor of Political Science, Hofstra University, USA)

“In this outstanding book Ibrahim Zabad tackles an underexplored puzzle: why some states learn and adapt positively while others go on the negative route following a crushing military defeat. With the help of a wide range of cases he explores the key determinants of divergent national policies in the aftermath of wars. A must read for all interested in the evolution of states and theories on war and peace.” (T. V. Paul, James McGill Professor of International Relations, McGill University, Canada)

• Department of Political Science, St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, USA

  Ibrahim M. Zabad

Ibrahim M. Zabad is Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the International Studies program at St. Bonaventure University, USA. 

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