ASSESSING THE BARGAINING MODEL OF WAR TERMINATION: AN EXAMINATION OF THE PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN WAR, 1899-1902

Abstract

Through a detailed case study of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), this thesis presents a test of the bargaining model of war termination. The study begins with a review of the war termination theory literature, tracing the currently dominant bargaining model's development. Also reviewed are theoretical challenges to the bargaining model drawn from constructivism, critical theory, organization theory, domestic politics and decision-making approaches, as well as political psychology. Hypotheses derived from both the bargaining model and the alternative theoretical perspectives are tested against the empirical evidence of the case study. The findings of this study demonstrate that the bargaining model's hypotheses and underlying assumptions are called into question. Doubt cast on the bargaining model is found both in empirical disconfirmations of the model itself and in support for the model's theoretical challengers.