Day 4: Causes of War
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the different kinds of international military conflicts
- Understand how conflicts of interest between countries can be the immediate cause of war
- Compare the different underlying causes of international military conflict at each level of analysis
- Identify the causes and effects of internal wars and understand their impact on prospects for war and peace
⚔️Types of Military Conflicts
🌍Interstate Conflicts
🔥Interstate War
Two or more national governments direct military forces against each other in organized, sustained clashes (1,000+ soldier deaths per year).
🌐General/Major War
War involving many or all of the most powerful states in a historical era.
👑Hegemonic War
War where the outcome determines which states will have predominant influence in the international system.
💥Total War
War where hostile states mobilize all resources and target civilians as part of their strategy.
⚡Other Conflict Types
🎯Militarized Interstate Dispute (MID)
States threaten to use force, mobilize military forces threateningly, or engage in military clashes below full-scale war.
🏴Extra-State War
Violent clash (1,000+ combat deaths) between a recognized state and a non-state actor or unrecognized entity.
🕊️The World After 1945
☢️Nuclear Peace
Major powers (USA, Russia, China, Britain, France) have avoided total war, partly due to nuclear deterrence.
🎭Proxy and Limited Wars
Instead of direct confrontation, major powers have engaged in:
- Proxy Wars: Fighting through smaller allies (e.g., Cold War conflicts)
- Limited Wars: Conflicts with smaller countries or between smaller nations
🔄Complex Modern Conflicts
Contemporary conflicts often blur the lines between interstate and extra-state wars, involving both state and non-state actors simultaneously.
💀War Lethality & The “Long Peace”
📊Historical Context
World Wars I and II demonstrated the devastating potential of modern warfare, leading to efforts to avoid such massive conflicts.
🛡️Factors Reducing War Lethality
- Nuclear deterrence
- Rise of democratic governance
- International cooperation mechanisms
- Economic interdependence
Key Question: Will this “Long Peace” continue?
🔥Immediate Triggers of War
💰Economic Resources
Conflicts over scarce resources like water, oil, and natural gas.
📋Policy Disagreements
Conflicts arising from opposing national policies and strategies.
🏛️Political Regimes
Wars over different governance styles or ideologies seen as existential threats.
🕌Ethnic/Religious Identity
Conflicts driven by ethnic tensions and religious differences.
🗺️Territory
Disputes over land due to economic/strategic value or ethnic unification desires.
Important Note: These immediate causes don’t solely trigger war – underlying factors also play a significant role (covered in Part 2).
Key Terms Glossary