Kenneth Waltz papers, 1940-2012

Collection context

Creator:
Waltz, Kenneth N. (Kenneth Neal), 1924-2013
Abstract:
Kenneth Waltz (1924-2013) was a professor and scholar of Political Science and International Relations. Waltz was influential in helping to shape the field of International Relations and published extensively. The collection contains materials related to his scholarship and teaching, including many handwritten notes alongside articles and newspaper clippings on topics within International Relations, as well as a small amount of personal material and correspondence.
Extent:
11.25 linear feet 9 record cartons
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

The collection contains the papers of Kenneth Waltz, relating to his teaching and scholarship in the fields of Political Science and International Relations and to his work at Columbia's Institute of War and Peace Studies. The majority of the collection consists of printed articles and handwritten notes covering subjects about which Waltz taught or published. It also contains Waltz's published articles as well as some drafts of his books and related materials. There is a small amount of professional correspondence and personal material, including photographs and his stamp collection.

Biographical / historical:

Kenneth Waltz (1924-2013) was a Columbia University Professor and influential scholar of Political Science and International Relations. He received a B.A. from Oberlin College in Economics and a PhD in Political Science from Columbia. In the middle of his studies he served in the Army during both World War II and the Korean War. He then taught at Columbia until 1957, after which he held positions at Swarthmore College, Brandeis University and the University of California, Berkeley. In 1997 he returned to Columbia as an adjunct professor of Political Science and a Senior Research Scholar at the Arnold A. Saltzman Institute for War and Peace Studies.

Waltz was influential in helping to shape the field of International Relations. He is best known for his theory of neorealism, also called structural realism, which explains how states behave and interact with each other within the international system. Waltz's two most successful books included Man, the State, and War: a Theoretical Analysis (1959) and Theory of International Politics (1979). From 1987-1988 he was the President of the American Political Science Association and in 1999 won the association's James Madison award. His work later in life focused on nuclear weapons and he held a controversial position that nuclear proliferation would prevent nuclear war. Waltz continued to teach and write on the subject until his death in 2013.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located onsite.

Student letters of recommendation are restricted for 75 years from date of creation.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Kenneth Waltz Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
rbml@library.columbia.edu