Why do states go to war

Question 1

What are the consensual features of definitions of war?

Answer 1

sustained, organized, deliberate violence

at least 2 political organizations

Question 2

What are some controversial features of definitions of war?

Answer 2

lethal (1000 deaths)

reciprocity

Question 3

Why is a definition of war important?

Answer 3

To consider all types of wars when theorizing

Question 4

What are some categories of war?

Answer 4

interstate vs intrastate
total vs limited (existential threat)
-what about internationalized wars? proxy wars (supporting a side of a war)
-what about extra-state wars (state and non-state actors)

Question 5

Why is it important to categorise wars?

Answer 5

To identify correctly the causes

Question 6

What are the negative implications of war?

Answer 6

• kills, destroys, disrupts, traumatizes

- humans, cities, economies

Question 7

What are some positive implications of war?

Answer 7

• birth and evolution of states
• emergence of international norms and institutions
• encourages cooperation
• drives economic growth
• war can also be “just”
• creates jobs

Question 8

What are the theories of war?

Answer 8

1. realism and anarchy
2. the international system
3. state and society

Question 9

What is the realism and anarchy war theory?

Answer 9

• human nature

- security dilemna

Question 10

What is the international system theory of war?

Answer 10

• realist: anarchy -> suspicion -> self-help, polarity, balancing
• power transitions: thucydides trap (Melian dilemna)
• liberal & constructivist: R2P, democratisation, “just wars” (intervention)

Question 11

What is the state and society theory of war

Answer 11

diversionary theory of war
-> divert attention from domestic crisis
-> scapegoating and internal cohesion
-> identity shaping through social interactions
Marxist-Leninist theories of imperialism and war
-> capitalism -> economic competition -> imperial expansion
-> scramble for Africa

Question 12

Liberal theory of peace

Answer 12

• democratic peace theory
• attempts to reduce conflict: conflict resolution, disarmement schemes…
• trade and interdependence reduces incentive (capitalist peace theory)

Question 13

What is NotPetya?

Answer 13

evolution of warfare: cyberwarfare

• assault on one state by another
• does it justify retribution?
• recklessness: inability to retribute due to no accountability but has severe damage
• collateral damage due to interconnected world

Question 14

Countering cyberwarfare

Answer 14

lack of response could lead to invitation for escalation
problems of confounding geography
-distance doesn’t equal defense
-network of entanglement
absence of political leadership: tech have their own defense
-but no authority, cannot retaliate
-can only advocate and try and assign blame

Question 15

What are some other evolutions of warfare?

Answer 15

• “the long peace”?
• unconventional warfare emergence
• involvement of non-state actors (PMSCs)
• technological changes
• =hybrid warfare
• Do IR theories apply to this new type of war?

Question 16

What is the “fog of war” (Clausewitz)?

Answer 16

• future debate of war IR
• uncertainty regarding one’s own capability, adversary capability, and adversary intent during an engagement, operation, or campaign.
• no consensus on origins and causes of war
• complicates the conduct of war
• tried to be kept down through military intelligence but is ever present

Question 17

What are some other future debates of war?

Answer 17

• no consensus of only one path to war
• from total -> back to limited wars (is war back to being a normalized event?)
• change in nature of warfare: different forms of outsourcing (using another party)
• logistical, legal and ethical problems unclear
• change in motivation for war (beyond national interests -> human security)