Fogarty: Explaining War
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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary benefits of using a dispassionate empirical approach when studying war?

  • It promotes internal unrest and civil war.
  • It avoids looking at human activity, focusing instead on theoretical constructs.
  • It relies heavily on ideological formulas to improve understanding.
  • It helps to keep discussions about war grounded in reality rather than abstract ideals. (correct)

What is a key limitation when defining 'war' for empirical study?

  • External sources are not available to properly define warfare.
  • Defining war is easy because its characteristics are fixed.
  • Decisions about what counts as war must be made on somewhat arbitrary grounds. (correct)
  • Definitions are universally agreed upon and leave no room for interpretation.

What is the minimum threshold of battle-connected deaths that Small and Singer used to classify a dispute as a war?

  • 100 deaths
  • 500 deaths
  • 5,000 deaths
  • 1,000 deaths (correct)

Which type of conflict is explicitly excluded from Small and Singer's definition of war?

<p>Internal unrest and civil war (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the poster asking 'What if they gave a war and nobody came?' emphasize?

<p>Individual participation and responsibility in wars. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the attitude of most citizens and recruits toward war?

<p>Eagerness or tolerance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How should empirical research of war be regarded?

<p>As inductive and exploratory in nature. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of inductive work related to war and peace, as mentioned in the text?

<p>Using databases to determine if democratic states are more peaceful than non-democratic ones. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to feminist theory, what is a fundamental assumption of the state system?

<p>Nations strive to maximize their power and dominance over others. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Reardon's term 'war system' encompass?

<p>The integration of social life under the principles of oppression and domination. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what do some feminists believe is the first and most fundamental form of structural oppression?

<p>The oppression of women by men. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the passage characterize the relationship between patriarchy and the military?

<p>The military builds on and benefits from the ethos of patriarchy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, what role have women historically played in relation to the military?

<p>Women have been used as 'camp followers' providing support services. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the use of pornography by the military?

<p>It is a deeply embedded military value used as recreation for troops. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Enloe, what function do military wives provide?

<p>They act as emotional support and mechanisms of motivation and control of soldiers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the passage, what is the significance of 'the other' in the development of conflict?

<p>'The other' instigates the fear that gives rise to the notion of enemy and the practice of war. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a more appropriate baseline for comparing military expenditure?

<p>The average military expenditure of all the world's nations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples is presented as an instance of peaceful group formation?

<p>The European Union's consolidation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evidence is presented to suggest that people may not be more aggressive than in the past?

<p>Barbara Tuchman's account of the violence in the fourteenth century. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Mueller suggest about the long-term trend of warfare?

<p>Cultural evolution is driving humanity toward greater peacefulness, and warfare is becoming obsolete. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as a key weakness of social Darwinist theory?

<p>Its inherently historical nature and assumption that past trends will continue indefinitely. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What example is used to illustrate the potential for unexpected interruptions in historical trends?

<p>The collapse of the Soviet Union. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor do these theories fail to adequately account for in shaping human destiny?

<p>The role of purposeful human action. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What analogy is used to emphasize the limitations of predicting future societal developments based solely on past trends?

<p>An observer in the Paleolithic era imagining agriculture. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with humans possessing heightened capacity for violence?

<p>Humans lack innate inhibitions to control the use of artificial weapons. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What solution does Lorenz propose to manage human aggression?

<p>Finding safe outlets for aggression, such as sports and collective efforts against social issues. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Freud's perspective on the causes of war?

<p>War results from the interplay of life-preserving and destructive instincts within the human psyche. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the adaptive value of aggression and violence according to some perspectives?

<p>Aggression has no specific instinct but common because of its adaptation and survival value. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key transformation does Nisbet (1973) associate with the shift towards larger, territorially-based societies?

<p>The diminishing significance of kinship as the primary basis of social identity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant weakness in explaining war based solely on individual aggression?

<p>Aggressive individuals often live peacefully, and war involves the cooperation of many individuals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key point discussed?

<p>The impact of economic inequality on the likelihood of civil wars within nations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the options is identified as a significant consequence of the rise of agriculture and dense living?

<p>The beginning of the human population explosion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests humans have dramatically altered the Earth's surface due to agriculture?

<p>Conversion of natural landscapes into monoculture crop fields. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Lorenz's proposition of finding harmless channels for aggression closely resemble?

<p>James's search for a 'moral equivalent to war'. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Mississippian cultures are known for establishing large cities primarily based on what?

<p>Production and commerce of corn. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the author imply about the relationship between human biological evolution and technological advancement?

<p>Human technological advancement has outpaced human biological evolution in terms of managing violence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes social organization as a result of 'the fall of kinship'?

<p>Loyalty of individuals to non-kin leaders. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features serves as evidence of human presence visible from space?

<p>Nocturnal city lights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Prior to the agricultural revolution, how were humans characterized in terms of their presence and effects on the world?

<p>Minor species, thinly dispersed, with little environmental impact. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient structures are mentioned as examples of large-scale social integration and organization?

<p>The Great Wall of China and pyramids of the Nile valley. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental aspect of human nature is often cited as a primary cause of war?

<p>Inherent human traits, particularly a propensity toward aggression. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Konrad Lorenz drew analogies between human violence and aggressive behavior in other animal species, ultimately concluding that such behavior:

<p>Is of survival value to the species, aiding in spacing out populations and ensuring only the strongest procreate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which assumption underpins the 'human nature' theory of war, as discussed in the text?

<p>Aggression might be instinctive or inherent in the human psyche. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to human nature theorists, what role does natural selection play in the development of human aggression?

<p>Aggression has improved survival chances for individuals, leading to its perpetuation through generations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The human nature perspective suggests aggressiveness in individuals:

<p>Is programmed due to aggressive ancestors surviving and procreating. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of social Darwinist thinking?

<p>Traits must have evolved through a process of natural selection. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between war and national pride?

<p>War increases feelings of community and nationalism. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is cooperation important when discussing war?

<p>Cooperation amongst mass individuals makes war possible. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Global Warfare Spending

Comparing military spending to the average spending of all nations, suggests that global warfare spending might not be significantly higher now than in the past.

Militarization Trend

The belief that the world's nations are increasingly militarizing, driven by historical patterns of conflict and societal evolution.

Peaceful Group Formation

The idea that peaceful groups can form through shared interests, like trade or defense against a common enemy.

Cultural Evolution and Peace

The theory that cultural evolution steadily reduces violence and pushes war toward obsolescence.

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Historical Determinism

A historical perspective on social evolution where past events influence future ones. This suggests that trends, like militarization, may continue indefinitely.

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Revolutionary Change

The concept that abrupt changes, like revolutions, can disrupt established trends and patterns in history.

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Limitations of Social Darwinism

The limitations of social Darwinist theory, which assumes that historical patterns will continue and ignores the possibility of intentional human intervention to shape the future.

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Purposeful Human Action

The ability of humans to consciously act and influence the course of history, altering the path of societal evolution.

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Fall of Kinship

The shift from kinship-based social organization to territory-based organization, marked by the rise of powerful leaders and the consolidation of populations in cities.

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Consolidation of Populations

The process by which warlords unified larger and larger groups of people, leading to the formation of cities under single rulers or ruling families.

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Urbanization and Social Integration

The large-scale urbanization and social integration seen in cultures like the Mississippians, Mayans, and Egyptians, marked by the construction of impressive cities and monuments.

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Social Integration

The ability of a society to effectively organize and manage its citizens and resources, often manifested in large-scale construction projects and centralized governance.

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Agricultural Revolution

The development of agriculture, leading to increased population density and a significant impact on the environment.

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Human Population Explosion

The dramatic increase in human population, driven by the rise of agriculture, leading to a profound impact on the environment.

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Monoculture

The practice of growing a single crop on a large scale, replacing natural ecosystems and leading to environmental changes.

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Evidence of Human Habitation

The evident presence of human activity on the Earth's surface, as seen from air or space, reflecting the impact of urbanization and agriculture.

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War System

A system of international relations that is based on the assumption that every nation is constantly seeking to maximize its power and dominance over others through competition. It views cooperation as a sign of weakness and emphasizes the inevitability of conflict.

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Patriarchy

The idea that the dominant social structures and systems, including social norms and behaviors, favor men and their interests over women. It reinforces traditional gender roles and creates an environment where women are often marginalized and oppressed.

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State as a Patriarchal Institution

When the gender roles and expectations of men are projected onto the state and its institutions, it shapes its actions, policies, and beliefs, creating a biased environment.

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Feminist Critique of Structural Oppression

The idea that the oppression of women by men is the most fundamental form of structural oppression, shaping and influencing other forms of oppression.

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Women in the Military

Women used as 'camp followers' for practical tasks or sexual exploitation in military contexts.

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Sexual Exploitation in the Military

The use of pornography and official or unofficial brothels near military bases.

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Military Wives

The role of military wives in providing emotional support and control for soldiers.

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Military Institution and Patriarchy

The way the military benefits from and perpetuates patriarchal norms, such as traditional gender roles and the tendency towards violence.

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Empirical Approach to War

A research method that gathers and analyzes data to understand patterns and relationships in war, focusing on empirical observations rather than ideological perspectives.

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Internal Unrest/Civil War

Wars that are primarily internal conflicts within a country, often characterized by complex factors like ethnic tensions and political instability, with little involvement from other states.

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Individual Responsibility for War

The idea that wars are ultimately the result of individual choices, suggesting individuals could prevent wars by refusing to participate.

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State Mobilization for War

The ability of a state to mobilize its citizens and resources for war, often through recruitment, conscription, and propaganda.

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Historical Determinism and War

The belief that historical trends and patterns, like increased militarization, will continue, implying that war is a permanent feature of human society.

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Purposeful Human Action in War

The idea that humans can deliberately act to influence the course of history, altering historical trends and potentially averting war.

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Defining 'War'

The use of specific criteria for defining a war, such as a minimum number of battle-related deaths, to ensure consistency in research and analysis.

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Inductive Research

Research that starts with observations and data, then seeks explanations and theories, leading to further investigation and refinement of knowledge.

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Aggression as a Root Cause of War

The idea that war is a natural consequence of inherent human aggression, often compared to animals' instinctive fighting behaviors.

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Aggression as an Evolutionary Advantage

The suggestion that humans have evolved to be naturally aggressive as a survival mechanism, similar to how animals adapt to their environment through natural selection.

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Aggression as an Innate Human Trait

The belief that aggression is innate and a part of human psychology, often based on psychological studies showing how aggression can be triggered.

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Social Darwinism and War

The theory that war is a product of natural selection, where aggressive individuals survive and reproduce, leading to a more aggressive population.

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Environmental Triggers for Aggression

The idea that humans can be provoked to act aggressively based on external stimuli, suggesting that aggression is not always inherent but can be learned or influenced.

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Animal Behavior and Human Warfare

Studying animal behavior, particularly aggression, to understand human behavior and the potential roots of war.

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Instinctive Aggression in Humans

The assumption that humans, like animals, act instinctively without reasoning or conscious thought when engaging in aggression or war.

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Natural Selection and Human Aggression

The process by which natural selection favors traits that increase the chances of survival and reproduction, potentially leading to the evolution of aggression in humans.

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Human Aggression and Weapons

The idea that humans have a natural instinct for aggression, but lack evolved restraints for using modern weapons, making them prone to violence.

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Freud's Dual Instincts

The theory that humans have two opposing instincts: one for preservation and unity, and another for destruction and death, creating a complex mixture of peaceful and violent behavior.

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Adaptive Value of Aggression

The concept that aggression, while not a specific instinct, has survival value and is a common behavior pattern in humans and animals.

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Trainability for War

The argument that the conduct of war doesn't rely on inherently aggressive individuals, as even peaceful people can be trained for violence.

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Harmless Channels for Aggression

The idea that the search for safe outlets for aggression can help prevent harmful violence, similar to the idea of finding 'moral equivalents to war'.

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Agriculture, Urbanization, and Conflict

The theory that the rise of agriculture and urbanization led to more complex societies, with conflicts arising due to competition for resources.

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Study Notes

Journal Information

  • Journal Title: War, peace, and the social order
  • Volume: Not specified
  • Issue: Chapter 3
  • Month/Year: 2000
  • Pages: 45-80
  • Article Author: Fogarty, Brian E.
  • Article Title: Explaining War
  • Imprint: primo.exlibrisgroup.com-ALMA-BC
  • Copyright: Protected by Copyright Law (Title: 17 U.S. Code)

Publication Details

  • Publisher: Westview Press
  • Publication Year: 2000
  • Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
    • ISBN 0-8133-6659-3 (hardcover)
    • ISBN 0-8133-6660-7 (paperback)

Library Location

  • O'Neill Stacks
  • Boston College

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Explore the empirical approach to studying war through this quiz, covering key concepts like definitions, limitations, and the feminist perspective on the state system. Test your knowledge on the significant characteristics and assumptions driving modern war studies.

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