1. Introduction; Part I. Theory: 2. Information and signalling in international crises; 3. Democratic politics in international crises; 4. Domestic competition and signalling in international crises; Part II. Empirical Analysis: 5. Selective threats, effective threats: the initiation and escalation of international crises; 6. Credibility confirmed: the implications of domestic support; 7. Credibility undermined: the implications of domestic dissent; 8. Conclusions and implications; Appendices; Reference; Index.