Michael Horowitz Explores "Why Leaders Fight"

In his new book Why Leaders Fight, Michael Horowitz, an associate professor of political science, proposes a theory about how a leader’s decisions about war, peace, and risk propensity are influenced by individual background.

Co-authored by Allan C. Stam, the dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia, and Cali M. Ellis, a Ph.D. candidate in public policy and political science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the book compiles the biographies of more than 2,500 famous leaders from around the world who were in power between 1875 and 2001. It explores the military, family, occupational, and educational backgrounds of people such as Fidel Castro, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Ho Chi Minh, and Winston Churchill to help explain their tendencies to initiate military aggression.

“These leaders, who had the positive socialization of military experience but without facing the risk of death, were very conflict-prone in office,” says Horowitz.

Read the full article here.

Arts & Sciences News

1 / 2
Tej Patel, C’25, W’25, and Sridatta Teerdhala, C’25, W’25, Selected as Marshall Scholars

The students, both part of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management, will receive funding for up to three years of graduate study in the United Kingdom.

View Article >
$50 Million Legacy Gift to Penn Arts & Sciences Funds Undergraduate Aid

With an estate gift of more than $42 million, William J. Levy, a graduate of the Wharton School and Law School, has contributed $50 million in support of undergraduate students in the College.

View Article >
Jeffrey Kallberg Named Interim Dean of Penn Arts & Sciences

Kallberg, Deputy Dean and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Music, will step into the role as of January 1, 2025.

View Article >
Josephine Nock-Hee Park Named Associate Dean for Arts and Letters

The School of Arts and Sciences President’s Distinguished Professor of English will oversee the School’s humanities departments and research centers.

View Article >
2024 Making a Difference in Global Communities and Klein Family Social Justice Grants Announced

The funding went to 11 projects from faculty in nine Penn Arts & Sciences departments, with work focusing on everything from better crime policy to a philosopher-in-residence program and psychology education in middle schools.

View Article >
Bo Zhen Named Jin K. Lee Presidential Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Zhen’s research focuses on the study of electromagnetic waves, such as light, in engineered environments.

View Article >