Singer and Wildavsky argue that for the first time in history the major world powers share a commitment to democracy. By working together, they eventually will encourage other nations toward democracy and, ultimately, peace.

The authors argue that the world's superpowers have mutual interests in the political and economic success of democracy worldwide. These countries should now undertake a democratic, multinational effort to draw other countries into this "zone of peace."

They suggest establishing a United Nations Democratic Caucus through which democratic nations can, by majority rule, agree on issues of international significance. The economic development opportunities that stem from this cooperation eventually will attract non-democratic nations, who currently reside in what the authors call "zones of turmoil."

Singer and Wildavsky also propose a substantial increase in foreign assistance (half reserved for humanitarian emergencies) and limits on arms transfers to non-democratic states.

In 1996, this book won the $150,000 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order, an international prize administered by the University of Louisville's Department of Political Science.