Global Politics Quiz

peace

the absence of violence or conflict sometimes underpinned by a deeper level of equity and harmony

negative peace

the absence of violence (in the form of e.g. racial tensions )

positive peace

the sustainable resolution of all causes of violence

realist view on negative peace

the natural state in the anarchical world order (national security is more important than peace)

realist view on positive peace

unrealistic and competition is natural so equal status is impossible and undesirable

liberal view on negative peace

desirable and realistic first objective to be achieved through diplomacy

liberal view on positive peace

desired final state in conflict, both sides must make sacrifices and forgive

Johan Galtung

equity and harmony must be increased whilst violence and trauma are decreased

equity

a society must operate on the basis of political and economic equality (ni good Friday agreement)

harmony

all individuals in a society must collaborate (truth and reconciliation commissions in sierra leone)

trauma

emotional shock following conflict or violence

unipolarity

one hegemon which cannot be challenged

bipolarity

two powers in direct polar competition (us and ussr in cold war)

multipolarity

many powers competing with each other (current world order)

democratic peace theory

democracy promotes peace as interstate conflict becomes rare as potential sources of grievance are reduced through fairness

security dilemma

states make to build up their defences causing other states to feel less secure and do the same, leading to arms races and war due to fear of being attacked.

pathways to peace

peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding

peacekeeping

sustaining negative peace allowing a foundation for positive peace/ a ceasefire is agreed and peacekeepers enter to hold the peace

peacemaking

creating negative peace through negotiation

peacebuilding

building of sustainable positive peace and conflict resolution

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

exposing of the wrongdoing of those involved in conflict in hopes of promoting forgiveness

peace through justice

the prosecution of war criminals

conflict

when parties disagree or compete with each other over resources, ideas or territory

Non-violent conflict

disagreement by mean of consultation or dialogue (Iran nuclear weapons programme used and P5+1 conversed about conflicting ideas and reached a conclusion)

violent conflict

the use of direct violence to people or infrastructure (civil war in syria broke out when peaceful protesters were shot by government)

Galtung's Conflict Triangle

attitudes, behaviours and contradictions act together to cause violent conflict

behaviour

violence, genocide, discriminatory acts reduced through peacekeeping ( Assad government starts military campaign against insurgency via chemical weapon attacks in 2013)

contradiction

inequality, dispute reduced through peace building ( sunni and shia inequalities and disputes)

attitudes

racism, sexism, victimhood, trauma reduced through peacemaking ( rebel forces are deemed terrorists by assad)

2 key factors determining type of conflict

nature of groups involved ( states or ngos) contradiction that is the cause of conflict (ideology, revolution

intrastate war

increased since 1946, now most common

interstate war

decreased since 1946, none between 2004-2008

violence

physical, mental or other harm is caused

direct violence

harm through direct action (bombing)

structural violence

governments or other powers function to cause harm to individuals or groups

Cultural Violence

the mindset that certain groups do not deserve human rights

terrorism

the threat of violence and the use of fear to coerce and gain public attention

State Terrorism

government repression targeted against civilians

sub-state terrorism

non-state groups attack governments or civilians

internationalised terrorism

international networks of terrorism

just war theory

violence can be morally and legally justified if it is started by a right authority, for a just cause with probability of success, proportionality and as a last resort

jus in bello

the moral permissibility of acts in war (poisonous gases, landmines and cluster bombs are prohibited)