Contemporary Conflict Resolution
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Questions and Answers

What is a key time period highlighted as significant for understanding the nature of war since 1945?

  • 1970
  • 1945 (correct)
  • 1990
  • 1989

According to the content, what has happened to the Clausewitzean image of war since 1945?

  • It remains unchanged in its influence on military strategy.
  • It has become more relevant than ever.
  • It has become increasingly divorced from most armed conflicts. (correct)
  • It has been universally accepted as a solution for all wars.

What type of wars does the content suggest have been the most common since 1945?

  • Mixed civil-international wars
  • Civil wars within states (correct)
  • Interstate wars
  • Nuclear wars

What does the content imply about the relevance of concepts derived from European and Cold War experiences?

<p>They are largely irrelevant for current conflicts. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which wars are cited as examples of Clausewitzean wars still occurring after 1945?

<p>India and Pakistan, Israel and its neighbors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Azar's theory suggest about the emergence of leadership roles during conflicts?

<p>The most violent and unruly elements in society take leadership roles. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Azar, what happens to political structures over time in prolonged conflicts?

<p>They buckle and collapse due to sustained attrition. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor does Azar identify as a primary source of major armed conflict?

<p>Mobilized identities and exclusionist ideologies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did Azar not consider in his work?

<p>The implications of the post-Cold War world. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Zartman's conclusion imply about conflicts after the Cold War?

<p>Uncertainty following the old order facilitates conflict. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of global conflict interpretation is highlighted in relation to Azar's analysis?

<p>Contemporary interpretations bear ambiguously on Azar's theory. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Azar's PSC analysis attempt to synthesize?

<p>Realist and structuralist paradigms into a pluralist framework. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily suggested as a cause of ethnic conflict in the context provided?

<p>External fomentation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to groups as they begin to fear for their safety?

<p>They experience strategic dilemmas (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor complicates governance and can lead to increased conflict according to the content?

<p>Globalization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional states contribute to the polarization of society as mentioned in the context?

<p>Political memories and emotions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as a potential result of information failures among groups?

<p>Increased likelihood of conflict (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been identified as a key element in driving groups apart during crises?

<p>Crisis of governance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept is softened in the discussion regarding the motivations for conflict?

<p>The distinction between greed and grievance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to happen as a result of weak state governance according to the information given?

<p>Increased potential for violence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who reinforces the fears of groups according to the suggested model?

<p>Political entrepreneurs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the state represent for most people despite globalization pressures?

<p>The primary locus of identity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which correlation has been observed in relation to protracted conflict?

<p>Absolute levels of economic underdevelopment and violent conflict (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of conflict is associated with safeguarding communal needs?

<p>Type 3 conflict (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of rapid urbanization as mentioned in the content?

<p>Disruption of traditional patterns (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is true about failed states in the context of conflict?

<p>Control over the state remains a key prize (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might uneven development contribute to conflict according to the information provided?

<p>Through rapid, yet inadequate, modernization (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is associated with an increase in untrained and unemployed young males?

<p>Rapid population growth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the state play in the tension between globalization and local sentiments?

<p>The primary mediator of conflict (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might generate conflict even in states with reasonable levels of development?

<p>Perceived inequity or inequality (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Interstate War

Wars fought between countries. Think traditional warfare.

Intrastate War

Wars fought within a country, often between government and rebels.

Clausewitzean War

The idea that warfare is about rational decision-making and achieving political objectives.

Mixed Civil-International War

A conflict where both internal and external forces contribute to the violence, such as a civil war with foreign involvement.

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Nuclear Stalemate

A stalemate between nuclear powers, making a full-scale war unlikely due to the risk of mutually assured destruction (MAD).

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Social Implosion

The breakdown of social structures due to prolonged conflict and violence.

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Pluralist Framework

A theoretical framework that combines realist and structuralist insights to analyze conflict.

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Vested Interests in War

A situation where the political economy of a conflict becomes intertwined with the actions of powerful groups.

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Disintegration of the Bipolar World

The shift in power dynamics and the emergence of new actors after the end of the Cold War.

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Uncertainty Following the Old Order

The lack of clarity and predictability following the end of an established power structure.

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Neo-realism

A theoretical approach to understanding conflict that emphasizes the role of power dynamics and national interests.

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Caricature

A representation of a complex topic that simplifies or exaggerates certain features.

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Process Dynamics of PSC Escalation

A model that explains how escalating conflict can lead to violence, especially in situations where there are pre-existing grievances and power imbalances.

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Collective Fears of the Future

The belief that conflict is often fueled by collective anxieties and fears about the future, rather than just ancient hatreds or sudden bursts of repression.

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State Decay

The erosion of a state's authority and ability to function effectively, often linked to the effects of globalization and economic pressures.

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Problems of Credible Commitment

A group's inability or unwillingness to trust the promises or intentions of other groups, leading to a spiral of suspicion and mistrust.

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Security Dilemma

The situation where each group's efforts to enhance its security make the other group feel less secure, leading to a vicious cycle of escalating tensions.

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Political Entrepreneurs

Individuals or groups who exploit existing fears, grievances, and power imbalances for political gain, often through acts of provocation and manipulation.

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Political Memories

The tendency for past conflicts and injustices to linger in the minds of groups, shaping their perceptions and fueling ongoing tensions.

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Between-Group and Within-Group Interactions

The combined effects of inter-group tensions and internal divisions, often leading to a volatile and potentially explosive situation.

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Greed and Grievance

The idea that conflict is often driven by economic motivations, such as access to resources or wealth, rather than purely by ethnic or political grievances.

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State as a mediator between globalization and fragmentation

The state continues to be a key player in the ongoing balance between international forces pushing for globalization and local forces causing fragmentation.

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State as a primary source of identity

Despite the rise of globalization, the state remains the primary source of identity and loyalty for most individuals.

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State's monopoly on sovereignty

The state usually maintains a monopoly on sovereignty, meaning it has the ultimate authority within its borders, making it a key factor in conflicts.

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State as the prize in conflict?

Whether it's to enact revolutionary changes, protect communal interests, or secure power for a faction, conflict parties often aim to control the state.

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State control even in 'failed' states

Even in states that are considered 'failed,' the state remains the ultimate goal for warring factions.

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Uneven development and conflict

Fast or uneven development can lead to conflict, especially where it disrupts traditional ways of life without providing adequate benefits.

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Poverty, urbanization, and conflict

A combination of high levels of poverty, rapid urbanization, and population growth can create conditions for conflict.

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Inequity and conflict

Conflict can arise even with reasonable levels of development if people perceive a lack of fairness in the distribution of resources.

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Terrorism and the state

Terroristic groups, despite their different goals, often target state institutions or symbols of national power.

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Study Notes

Contemporary Conflict Resolution

  • This book is dedicated to conflict resolution founders and new conflict resolvers globally.
  • It is a second edition.
  • Authors: Oliver Ramsbotham, Tom Woodhouse, and Hugh Miall.

Understanding Contemporary Conflict

  • Historians struggle to trace subtle influences that lead to violence.
  • Conflict analysis (polemology) is essential for conflict resolution.
  • Theories and frameworks: General theories highlight generic aspects of conflict, while specific political/historical explanations examine particular conflicts.
  • A 'unified theory' for post-Cold War conflicts is likely unlikely due to varied conflict types globally.
  • Conflict theories can be internal (protagonists' nature), relational (interactions), or contextual (surrounding conditions).
  • Early modern European thinkers like Machiavelli and Hobbes explored conflict motivations.
  • Political bias influences conflict analysis.
  • Different perspectives on the Northern Ireland conflict exist (third party/ internal conflict vs. nationalist/unionist views.)
  • Protracted Social Conflicts (PSC): These are studied as a form of conflict which is characterized by ongoing and repetitive violence.
  • Azar's theory of PSCs evaluates domestic social roots of conflict.
  • Post 1945 conflicts focus on statehood and governance.
  • Conflict resolution approaches should consider evolving forms of conflict since 1945. Some research focuses on interstate conflict and its sources. However, post-1990s analysis has moved away from that paradigm, and now considers internal conflicts, or civil wars.

Edward Azar's Theory of Protracted Social Conflict

  • Azar's work emphasized the internal, social roots of conflicts.
  • Azar focused on 'basic needs' (security, development, political access, and identity) and their importance in conflict causation.
  • He argued that conflict is closely tied to problems of governance and states.
  • He noted international linkages and external influence on domestic conflict.
  • These conflicts are characterized by a lack of clearly defined start and end points.
  • Azar's theory analyzes the dynamics of chronic societal conflicts.

Contemporary Conflict and Resolution

  • Post-Cold War conflicts differ from previous eras.
  • 'New wars' and their various causes are discussed (economic interests, etc.).
  • The role of resources, identity, and governance are key issues in conflicts today.
  • Azar's ideas are situated in the context of global trends since 1945 (economic factors, etc.)
  • Different approaches to conflict exist, including global ones (e.g., Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations")
  • Analyses of conflict from a regional perspective highlight the significance of intergroup struggles.
  • State-level analysis examines the impact of weak states, power struggles, and political repression on internal conflicts.
  • Conflict is also impacted by the interplay of individual and elite motivations.

Proximate Causes of Internal Conflicts

  • These are internal factors (bad leaders, domestic problems) and external factors (bad neighbors).

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Understanding Contemporary Conflict PDF

Description

Explore the essential concepts and frameworks surrounding contemporary conflict resolution as established by the founders and new practitioners in the field. This quiz delves into the complexities of conflict analysis and the historical perspectives that shape our understanding of violence and conflict management.

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