"All too often, commentators and academics duck the challenge of combining theory and rigorous empirical work in trying to explain major developments. Dr. Hoovestal has applied two major theoretical perspectives from the discipline of International Relations - Realism and Liberalism - to interpret and help explain the advent of containerization. This is an important and highly original work facilitated by the author's distinctive, multidisciplinary background. Hoovestal uses the synergies between Business Studies and International Relations to craft a robust book on the wellsprings of global economic interconnectedness and its ramifications for global security." - Robert Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago, New Zealand