The analytical tractability of affine (short rate) models, such as the Vasi\v{c}ek and the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross models, has made them a popular choice for modelling the dynamics of interest rates. However, in order to account properly for the dynamics of real data, these models need to exhibit...

We investigate the role of networks of alliances in preventing (multilateral) interstate wars. We first show that, in the absence of international trade, no network of alliances is peaceful and stable. We then show that international trade induces peaceful and stable networks: trade increases...