Understanding Theories of War and Historical Contexts

Flashcards covering key concepts related to war theories, historical contexts, and significant events in international relations.

Definition of War

A state of organized armed conflict or violence between or among political communities.

Clausewitz's Famous Argument

War is the continuation of politics by other means. but also sought to limit

future wars.

Main faucets oft his thinking:

Subordination to Policy: War is not an autonomous event, but a "political instrument" used to achieve political goals.

• Intercourse by Other Means: War is simply a continuation of the same political conversations—diplomacy, negotiations, and power struggles—but uses violence as the means.

• The "Chameleon" Nature: While war's purpose is always political (the policy end), its nature (violence, hatred, chance) can change, acting like a chameleon.

• The Goal is Still Peace: The aim of war is not to fight endlessly, but to achieve a favorable political outcome or a better state of peace.

What are early explanations of war?

○ Biology: human nature

○ Anthropology: cultural invention

○ Psychology: misperception, groupthink, relative deprivation

• Biology: War rooted in human nature, a

“natural destructive instinct” (Freud)

• Anthropology: War is cultural invention, not

inevitable (Mead)

• Psychology:

– Relative deprivation (comparing to others, not

absolute need)

– Misperception and groupthink distort leaders'

decisions

Examples of innovationc- how it leads to wars:

In Greece, there were not professional soldiers, wealthy men would usually go fight but they had good tactics like the Phlanx: An ancient battlefield formation where soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder, shields overlapping.

In Rome:

Far more advanced military engineering

• Specialized in siege warfare, fortification

• Evolved a more professional fighting force (the legions) that was better trained and efficient.

in Medival period (500-1500): europe in "dark ages" global innovation.

Early Modern Era (c. 1450-1800)

• Muskets and rifles make training essential

• Guns begin to dominate the battlefield

• Rise of professional standing armies

belonging to sovereign states

• Tactics remain static: linear, standing in lines, firing in volleys

Technology gets better..leads to world war 1..

Tank, Machine gun, Shrapnel led to industrial sized killing.

Nationalism and total war

An ideology that significantly impacts the politics surrounding war and enables mass conscription.

Rise of Nationalism & Total War was (Late 18th-19th Century):

Nationalism enables mass conscription → wars become larger, deadlier

• “Total war”: entire societies mobilized, no limits

• Europe devastated after Napoleon; Concert of Europe tries to keep most wars limit

Structural (Neo-)realist Critiques: (Waltz)

Earlier approaches are "reductionist" - reduce war to individual/societal factors.

• Cannot provide a general theory of when to expect war.

• Primary causes of war exist at the systemic level: the distribution of power in the international system.

■ Multipolar System= unstable

■ Bipolar System= most stable

■ Unipolar System = most unstable

○ Levels of Analysis: Individual, State, System

Gunpowder and Cannons

Technological innovations that changed the game of warfare, enabling the destruction of fortifications and impacting battle strategies.

What are factors of war/ what do wars need?

What do wars need/require? factors:

Requires: organization, capability for violence, political purpose