Presents an unorthodox account of the onset of World War I based on speculations about alternative outcomes. Considers reasons that historians are reluctant to imagine counter-factuals and argues that this lack of imagination may cause them to overlook some of the historical causes they seek. (DMM)

The question, "What were the causes of World War I?," has become one of the classic historical debates of which there seem to be endless permutations. In the past 90 years historians, journalists, and politicians have offered many more or less rational explanations for the war. Although at least some of the usual "causes"…