In the field of international affairs, it is accepted by scholars that there is no "Grand Theory" to explain the overall workings of the world. Indeed, the product of individual research is thought of by most social scientists as theory building in terms of creating small islands of understanding in a sea of uncertainty. Because some research is designed to question the theory of another researcher, it becomes more difficult to understand what is true or to expand and bridge the islands. Nevertheless, some years ago, it was my good fortune (or burden) to have been both challenged and encouraged by a true friend and scholar to search broadly for the grand theory of international relations. History teaches that despite philosophical differences, the root cause of conflict relates to perceptions of unfairness with respect to how individuals and groups treat one another. What one group sees as their right, another sees as the violation of their right. Even when conditions change toward fairness, perceptions are slow to change. Nevertheless, unfairness in resource distribution, the opportunity for resources, or the method of obtaining and/or controlling resources, whether real or imagined, reveals the truth about human conflict. Naturally, conflict can be costly; thus, disruptive to economic progress as well as peace, long-term relations, and human development itself.