History: 1989-1999

The Peter D. Watson Center for Conflict and Cooperation was founded in 1989 and was named in honor of Peter Dekker Watson, whose generous gift contributed to its creation. Initially known as the Center for the Study of International Peace and Cooperation, the Center was renamed in 1999 to reflect a broader scope of method and substantive research . The Center was established as a faculty cluster, a concept that is a well-established and successful mechanism within the University of Rochester designed to promote interdisciplinary studies.

Upon its creation, the Center focused almost exclusively on developing fundamental understanding of how peace is created and maintained. The program emphasized two parallel approaches to the study of peace and cooperation, each firmly grounded in experimental methodology. One approach, centered in the disciplines of political science, history, and psychology, examines the formation of human attitudes and factors affecting human motivation. This focus built on the work of Professor John Mueller in Political Science and that of Professor Robert Holmes in Philosophy, among others. Professor Mueller also served as Director of the Center from its inception until 1999.

The second related approach studied the question of cooperation differently. It focused on the design of institutional arrangements that lead to automatic cooperation between parties, no matter what might be the intrinsic attitudes about their partners. This work built on concepts of game theory, particularly in activities where the players interact repeatedly. This focus grew out of the work of Professor Randall Calvert in Political Science and Professor Jeffrey Banks in Economics and Political Science.

Some examples of research projects by Rochester scholars who contributed to the work of the Center include:

• War and Reason (Yale University Press) by political scientists Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and David Lalman, who examine how decision makers choose whether or not to engage in conflict.
• On War and Morality (Princeton University Press, 1989) by philosopher Robert Holmes who argues that war can never be morally justified.
• Research by Professor Stanley Engerman on the impact of war on the economy. Professor Engerman is the co-author of Time on the Cross: The Economics of American Negro Slavery.
• Political scientist David Weimer's studies of the International Energy Agency.

Current Projects and Activities

In 1999, Professor Curtis S. Signorino became the new Director of the Watson Center, and is continuing the tradition of promoting innovative research by expanding the Center's activities. New research areas include:

• Statistical Analysis and Strategic Interaction
• Two-level Games
• Power Transition and War
• Institutions and International Political Economy

The Center's commitment to interdisciplinary study is reflected in its creation and promotion of new courses at the University that combine the perspectives of history, political science, and economics. For example, History and Theories of International Relations is a Modern History seminar that uses theories from international relations and related disciplines to inform the interpretation of diplomatic history. Similarly, the graduate seminar Modeling International Conflict targets the development of skills and insights from mathematics and economics to improve current models of conflict.

The results of the Center's work are made available to the public through working papers, published articles, and books. The working paper series, established in 2001, reflects the cutting-edge research projects associated with the Center. Please visit the working papers page for a list of current papers and information on how to obtain copies.