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What is Democratic Peace Theory?

The theory that democracies are hesitant to engage in armed conflict with other democracies.

Does Democratic Peace Theory mean democracies never fight wars?

No. Democracies may still fight non-democracies, weak states or non-state actors.

Why are democracies hesitant to fight other democracies?

Citizens bear the costs of war and democratic governments face public, electoral and media pressure.

How is Democratic Peace Theory connected to post-heroic societies?

Democratic post-heroic societies avoid costly symmetric wars and prefer wars from a position of asymmetric superiority.

Exam example for DPT?

The USA avoids war with strong democracies but has fought in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen and Somalia.

What is a proxy war?

A conflict where two powers use third parties to fight rather than fighting each other directly.

Why do states use proxy wars?

To avoid direct escalation, gain influence, control resources, spread ideology or weaken rivals.

Is the Ukraine war a pure proxy war?

No. Russia is directly involved, but the war has proxy elements because Western states support Ukraine and sanction Russia.

What are four Russian narratives for the Ukraine war?

Protection of minorities, defense against NATO, resources and Western powerplay.

Why are Ukrainian resources geopolitically important?

Ukraine has critical minerals, natural gas, black soil and grain, which matter for energy, defense, agriculture and supply chains.

What is a sanction?

A restriction on exports, activities, finance, services, travel or information to pressure a target.

Why can sanctions fail or have limited effect?

Targets can find substitutes, reduce exposure, use circumvention, or benefit from higher commodity prices.

What is the cost of sanctions for sanctioning countries?

They can hurt their own firms and consumers through lost markets, higher prices and supply-chain disruption.

How can war cause environmental damage?

Through pollution, burning oil fields, destroyed infrastructure, deforestation, military emissions and ecosystem damage.

How can climate change contribute to conflict?

By increasing scarcity of water, land and food, causing migration and intensifying social tensions.

What is the Green Paradox?

Fossil fuel owners may extract more today if they expect future climate policies to reduce the value of their reserves.

Why is climate change called a threat multiplier?

It worsens existing problems such as poverty, weak governance, migration and resource scarcity.

Why are Arctic and Greenland resources geopolitically relevant?

Melting ice makes fossil fuels and critical raw materials more accessible, increasing great-power competition.