Untitled Flashcards Set 3

Root conflicts of interest in civil wars

Conflict can arise from issues like ethnicity, resources, ideology, or political power, often leading to divisions within a society.

Arguments for states for specific groups

Proponents argue for self-determination and protection of rights, while opponents fear further division and conflict.

Three main factors explaining violent opposition groups

1. Grievances: Real or perceived injustices lead to conflict; 2. Opportunities: Weak states or external support facilitate violence; 3. Identity: Ethnic or religious identities can motivate groups to mobilize.

Reasons foreign governments support rebel groups

Support may be driven by strategic interests, desire to destabilize a rival government, or ideological alignment.

Features of the bargaining problem in civil wars

Bargaining failures, such as asymmetric information and commitment problems, lead to violence as groups cannot reach a peaceful agreement.

Rebel groups favoring insurgency tactics

Insurgency allows weaker groups to leverage local knowledge and avoid direct confrontation with stronger conventional forces.

COIN (Counterinsurgency)

A military strategy aimed at defeating insurgencies, focusing on winning the support of the local population and disrupting insurgent operations.

Impact of promoting democracy on civil wars

Promoting democracy can lead to empowerment and conflict; however, if done without stability, it may exacerbate tensions.

Perception of terrorists as irrational actors

Terrorists may appear irrational due to their extreme methods, often disregarding strategic calculations in favor of ideology.

Weaknesses of terrorist groups

Terrorist groups often lack resources, resilience, and public support, leading to difficulties in sustaining operations and legitimacy.

Analyzing terrorism through the bargaining problem

Terrorism may be seen as a method to coerce concessions from more powerful opponents when traditional negotiation fails.

Strategies of violence used by terrorist groups

Terrorist groups utilize bombings, kidnappings, and psychological tactics to instill fear and achieve political ends.

Challenges in deterring terrorist groups

Difficulty in predicting behavior, decentralized structures, and their ability to blend into civilian populations complicate deterrence.

Difficulties posed by rebel and terrorist organizations to states

These groups can undermine state authority, create security challenges, and complicate governance efforts.