The Prussian field marshal Helmuth von Moltke famously remarked that "no plan survives contact with the enemy." The same might be said for theories of international relations after they make contact with the real world. In this collection of essays, leading diplomatic historians and international relations theorists explore the limits of realist theory in explaining why great powers do what they do. Although their critiques are not new -- indeed, scholars spent the two decades after the appearance of Kenneth Waltz's Theory of International Politics in 1979 debating the explanatory claims of the balance of power -- this book does illuminate how great powers' ideologies, domestic politics, and shifting power relationships shape their behavior. The authors all focus on historical moments when major states defied the expectations ofTwo convicted kidnappers were put to death by lethal injection in an execution shown live on Guatemalan television.

Viewers making breakfast watched on Thursday as Amilcar Cetino Perez, 35, said his last words, which appeared to be a prayer.

Cetino and Tomas Cerrate Hernandez, 39, were sentenced to death for their part in the kidnapping in January 1997 of Bonifassi de Botran, 80, an heir to the Botran liquor distillery fortune, who was found dead after her family paid the ransom. The two men died proclaiming their innocence.

"It's not the kind of thing you want to watch, but you can't stop yourself," said Nerry Rinales, who saw the execution with three employees while opening his car repair shop in Quatemala City. Every channel focused on the executions.

Cetino was strapped down