Key Concepts in Conflict, War, and Peace Studies (AQA Short Course Rip + additional WMD context)

Conflict

Dispute between sides; can be between individuals, groups or nations.

Forgiveness

Letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on.

Holy war

War that is believed to be sanctioned by God.

Justice

Bringing fairness back to a situation.

Just war

Set of rules for fighting a war in a way believed to be justified and acceptable to God.

Nuclear deterrence

Having nuclear weapons with the aim of deterring/preventing other states attacking for fear of retaliation and nuclear war (possibly leading to mutually assured destruction).

Nuclear weapons/war

A weapon of mass destruction which causes widespread damage and loss of life. Nuclear war would be a war fought using these weapons.

Pacifism

The belief of people who refuse to take part in war and any other form of violence.

Peace

The opposite of war; harmony between all in society.

Peace-making

Working to bring about peace and reconciliation.

Protest

A statement or action to express disagreement; can be an organised event to demonstrate disagreement with a policy or political action.

Reconciliation

Restoring harmony after relationships have broken down.

Retaliation

To pay someone back for their harmful actions.

Terrorism

Use of violence and threats to intimidate others; used for political purposes to build fear in the ordinary population and to secure demands from Government.

Victims of war

Those who are harmed during a war, for example those killed, injured or left homeless.

Violence

Behaviour involving physical force which intends to hurt, kill or cause damage.

War

Armed conflict between two or more sides.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Weapons which cause widespread, indiscriminate damage (e.g. nuclear, chemical, biological etc).

Nuclear Weapons

Explosive devices that derive their destructive force from nuclear reactions, causing massive destruction and loss of life.

Chemical Weapons

Weapons that use chemical agents to harm or kill people, causing widespread injury or death.

Biological Weapons

Weapons that use pathogens or toxins to cause disease and death in humans, animals, or plants.