1. WEB

What is the main idea of the module War, Economics and Business?

he module studies how war/conflict and economics/business influence each other: war affects economies and firms, while economic interests, resources and business structures can cause or shape conflict.

Why can conflict be seen as an economic choice?

Because economics studies choices under scarcity, and conflict often results from competition over scarce resources, power, security or markets.

How does war affect business?

War disrupts supply chains, increases costs, creates sanctions risk, destroys infrastructure, changes demand and can increase defense-related business opportunities.

How can business affect war?

Businesses can supply weapons, logistics, technology, intelligence, reconstruction services, finance, or critical materials, thereby influencing military capacity.

Why is industrial capacity important in war?

Wars are not won only by soldiers but also by production, logistics, maintenance, ammunition, technology and the ability to replace losses.

What is asymmetric warfare?

War between actors with a significant difference in military power.

What is symmetric warfare?

War between actors with roughly similar military power.

Why does the weaker side avoid open battle in asymmetric warfare?

Because the stronger side has superior weapons, speed and space control, so open confrontation would likely lead to defeat.

How does the weaker side compensate for asymmetry?

By using guerrilla tactics, terrorism, attrition, invisibility, civilian cover, media effects, cyber tactics, drones or proxy forces.

What does “diffusion into time and space” mean?

The weak side avoids a clear battlefield and stretches the conflict over time through low-intensity warfare.

What are the three domains of superiority for the strong side?

Weaponry, space and speed.

Why can the weak side still win against a stronger side?

Because it can make the war too costly politically, morally, financially or socially for the stronger side.

Example of asymmetric warfare?

USA vs. Taliban, Israel vs. Hamas, Russia vs. Ukrainian resistance in some phases, or Western states vs. non-state armed groups.

What is international humanitarian law?

A body of rules that limits the methods of warfare and protects civilians, prisoners and wounded persons during armed conflict.

What are key principles of international humanitarian law?

Distinction, proportionality, military necessity and humane treatment.

What is the Rome Statute?

The treaty that established the International Criminal Court and defines crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

Why is moral legitimacy important in asymmetric warfare?

Because the stronger side can lose political and public support if its use of force appears disproportionate or harms civilians

What is the dilemma of the stronger side in asymmetric warfare?

It wants to protect its own soldiers but risks civilian casualties and moral delegitimization when using superior firepower.

Why can the weaker side benefit from civilian casualties?

Civilian casualties can delegitimize the stronger side and increase sympathy or support for the weaker actor.

What is a heroic society?

A society that values honor, sacrifice and collective causes and is more willing to accept death in war.

What is a post-heroic society?

A wealthy, democratic, media-sensitive society focused on prosperity and individual life, with low willingness to accept military casualties.

What two things can post-heroic societies not afford?

High losses of their own troops and loss of moral legitimacy through violations of humanitarian law.

How do post-heroic societies wage war?

Through technological superiority, drones, precision strikes, airpower, special forces, cyber and fast attack/retreat.

Why are drones attractive for post-heroic societies?

They reduce the risk of own troop casualties and allow remote warfare.

What is the main dilemma of post-heroic warfare?

Avoiding own casualties can lead to methods that create civilian casualties and moral criticism.

Example of a post-heroic society?

USA, Israel, most Western European democracies.