IB Global Politics HL Unit 4 - Peace and Conflict

Democratic peace

Democracies do not like to engage in conflict with other democracies. These states, because of their structures and norms are less prone to war with each other.

Feminist peace

A peacebuilding perspective that emphasizes gender equality and social justice. Also the interconnectedness of different forms of violence like structural and everyday, not just armed conflict.

Realist peace

Emphasizes the role of national interest, power and security. The belief is that a stable international system is built on a balance of power where states maintain military strength to prevent aggression.

Peace

The absence of conflict and violence or a state of harmonious relations. Peace is the ultimate goal of organisations that regulate social relations.

Conflict

Actual or perceived opposition between groups. This could be over position, interest or values. It is commonly split between violent and non-violent conflict. Non-violent conflict is a useful way to insight social change and violent conflict can be very harmful and requires resolution.

Direct violence

Intentional act of physical or psychological harm by a group or individual targeting another person or group.

Structural violence

How institutions cans stop people from accessing their rights or meeting their basic needs.

Cultural violence

Aspects of culture that can be used to justify violence like values and norms.

Galtung’s Conflict Triangle

Manifest level is the top point of the triangle. This level is how people act in a way that encourages conflict. So the top point of the triangle is behaviour. This is violence, genocide and attacks of various kinds. The lower level is the bottom two points of the triangle and is the latent level. This the way people think that encourages conflict. This firstly includes attitudes/assumptions like racism, sexism or victimhood. The other point is contradictions like inequality and disputes over territory and resources.