lecture recording on 13 March 2025 at 15.02.31 PM

Understanding the Causes of War

• Colleague's Argument: Some believe war is inevitable due to its inherent causes but question these beliefs critically.

• Rational Basis: War can be rationalized based on the bargaining model which identifies three main reasons for war:

  • Commitment Problems: When parties doubt each other’s commitment to agreements.

    • Lack of assurance can lead to preemptive actions or escalations in conflict.

  • Incomplete Information: States may misjudge each other's capabilities or intentions, prompting unnecessary aggression.

    • E.g., believing another state is weaker or likely to attack first, leading to a preemptive strike.

  • Indivisible Goods: Certain issues cannot be divided without losing value, creating conflict over them.

Raising Costs of War

• Increase Costs: Making war prohibitively expensive can deter states.

• Enhanced Transparency: Clearer information about state intentions and capabilities defuses misunderstandings.

• Outside Enforcement Mechanisms: Using international bodies to guarantee compliance can stabilize agreements.

• Divisibility Strategies: Finding ways to share divisible objects can reduce tensions.

Economic Development Strategies

• Critique of ISI: Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) is deemed problematic due to risk of financial crisis.

• Focus on Comparative Advantage: Emphasizing a nation’s strengths (e.g., coffee) while importing goods utilizing a non-protectionist approach may promote growth.

Disadvantages of Dependency on Primary Commodities

• Price Volatility: Heavily reliant economies suffer from unpredictable market fluctuations.

• Lack of Incentive for Modernization: Limited diversification hinders investment in human capital.

• Geographical Limitations: Dependence creates less flexibility in trade options.

• Declining Terms of Trade: As developed nations advance, reliance on raw material exports often yields diminishing returns.

Miracle Economies Insight

• Countries Highlighted: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea as models for diversifying economies beyond primary goods.

• Importance of Manufactured Goods: Transitioning to manufacturing can provide greater stability and reduce dependency on volatile commodity markets.

Climate Change Cooperation Challenges

• Collection Action Problem: Tackling climate change is difficult as states see benefits but may not feel compelled to contribute.

• Public Goods Dilemma: A stable climate is a non-excludable benefit, which deters individual responsibility.

• Comparative Case to CFCs: Cooperation on CFCs was easier due to fewer stakeholders and direct incentives.

Factors for Enhancing Human Rights Enforcement

• Misconceptions: It's a misbelief that large-scale human rights violations no longer occur; they are still prevalent globally.

• International Criminal Court (ICC): Critics point out that the ICC primarily pursues African states, undermining its credibility.

• Power Dynamics: Strong nations often evade ICC scrutiny or accountability for abuses.

Enabling Better Human Rights Compliance

• Widespread Awareness: Encouraging public knowledge of human rights helps garner support for enforcement efforts.

• Economic Incentives: States should see economic benefits in adhering to human rights standards to attract trade and investment.