"When is it appropriate to intervene in individual or large-scale disputes? How would intervention be most effective in helping an abused child, in resolving conflicts between labor and management, in mediating in a foreign war? In this wide-ranging and original book, a distinguished social psychologist provides a broad overview and analysis of the phenomenon of intervention in human affairs.".

"Drawing on many historical and current examples of intervention, Leonard W. Doob considers what must be taken into account in the planning, selection, timing, implementation, and evaluation of interventions.

He also focuses on the morality of intervening - which is, after all, interfering with the judgment or behavior of other persons - discussing a variety of situations, such as providing medical treatment to terminally ill people, preventing abortions, attempting to reconcile incompatible partners in a marriage, colonizing developing societies, and dividing countries after war. Doob maintains that since every intervention contains unique elements, strict principles for intervening cannot be formulated.

Past experience does provide guides for the future; yet these guides are uncertain and must be used cautiously."--BOOK JACKET.