The beginnings of World War I can be seen through the lenses of the three perspectives. The realist perspective would explain World War I by pointing to changes in the European balance of power. Specifically, it could make several arguments: a rigid, inflexible alliance system led to war; the decline of British hegemony led to war; Germany sought war because it was afraid that, in the near future, its dominance would decline and Russia’s would rise; and Germany was driven to war because of domestic groups that favored expansion.

The liberal perspective, by contrast, emphasizes Europe's diplomatic and institutional problems. It focuses on the clumsy diplomacy of Kaiser Wilhelm II, German misperceptions about British neutrality, and weak domestic institutions in Germany and Austria-Hungary.

The identity perspective, on the other hand, examines the ideas and norms possessed by nations in the prewar years. It concentrates on forms of nationalism and shared norms like the cult of the offensive and Social Darwinism, which made states pursue exclusive and aggressive policies.