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A level Politics Unit 4 > Conflict, War and Terrorism > Flashcards

Conflict, War and Terrorism Flashcards

1
Q

Define WAR

A

War is a condition of armed conflict between two or more parties (usually states). It is a continuation of politics by other means.

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2
Q

What are the features of war?

A
  1. It is a conflict between political groups. Traditionally, these are states but interstate civil wars are increasing.
  2. War is organised violence. Traditional warfare is particularly so, with a set of rules which often includes uniforms, parades, drills and ranks. Modern warfare is less so, and tends to involve less regulated fighters who may refuse to fight by the rules.
  3. It is large scale violence. The UN defined a war as one that has over 1000 deaths for every year of fighting.
  4. It usually covers a significant period of time.
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3
Q

What are examples of old wars?

A
  • WW1
  • WW2
  • Iran - Iraq (1980-1988)
  • Falklands War (1982)
  • Gulf War (1991)
  • Russia - Georgia (2008)
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4
Q

What are examples of new wars?

A
  • Yugoslavian wars (1991-1999)
  • Afghanistan (2001-2014)
  • Iraq (2003-2011)
  • Congo (1994-)
  • Syria (2011-2016)
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5
Q

What is the difference between old wars and new wars?

A

Participants: In old wars, armed conflict is between equally matched state armies. Clear military/civilian divide. In new wars, the participants are a mix of state and non-state actors. The military/civilian divide is not clear.

Goals: In old wars the goal is an extension of politics. There is an incentive to win. New wars are often wars of identity, where differences between ethnicity/religion/nations cause clashes. The goal is to keep the war going.

Tactics: In old wars, the conflict is carried out under internationally agreed rules. In new wars, these rules are abandoned. Guerrilla tactics are used, as well as a war of terror directed against civilians.

Finance: Old wars are often funded by state taxation. New wars are often funded by criminal activities.

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6
Q

Define a HYBRID WAR

A

Hybrid warfare is a type of warfare widely understood to blend conventional/unconventional, regular/irregular and information and cyber warfare.
EXAMPLE: Russia/Ukraine in 2015.

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7
Q

Define a NEW WAR

A

New wars are civil wars, associated with questions of identity and culture, use of guerrilla tactics, and typified by criminality. They are also very difficult to end.

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8
Q

Define ASYMMETRIC WARFARE

A

Asymmetric warfare is a feature of many new wars with one side that is vastly more powerful then their enemy.
EXAMPLE: The USA vs Islamic State.

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9
Q

Define POST MODERN WARFARE

A

Post modern warfare’s key feature is a reliance on technology rather than mass conflict as a tactic of war.

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10
Q

What are examples of post modern warfare?

A
  • The tomahawk cruise missile (a long range land missile operated by technology)
  • The use of drones and pilotless aircrafts that can bomb with precision from thousands of miles away.
    EXAMPLE: Obama ordered 526 drone strikes throughout his presidency.
  • Cyber warfare, and attacking the vital computer systems of an enemy.
    EXAMPLE; the US developed Stuxnet virus that aimed to target Iranian centrifuges to hold up their nuclear development programme.
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11
Q

What are the features of post modern warfare?

A
  1. Use of technology, such as computing and satellite technology
  2. Low casualty rate - due to the unwillingness of the majority of democratic regimes to put up with mass causalities of war.
  3. Importance of intelligence - internet and cyber warfare are increasingly part of military budgets.
    EXAMPLE: Stuxnet virus sent by the USA to target Iranian centrifuges to delay their development of nuclear weapons.
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12
Q

Define OLD/CONVENTIONAL WAR

A

A conventional or old war is one that is fought between two or more states with the use of regular, uniformed, national military units.

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13
Q

Define a CIVIL WAR

A

A civil war is a war fought between two groups within a state.

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14
Q

Define a GUERRILLA WAR

A

A guerrilla war is one that involves the use of insurgency (‘hit and run’) tactics to defeat a larger force.

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15
Q

Define TOTAL WAR

A

Total war occurs when the economy of a state is completely geared toward war.
EXAMPLE: Britain in the world wars.

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16
Q

What are the features of new war?

A
  1. Majority of new wars are within states and therefore are civil wars
  2. Increasingly, they are wars of identity e.g. Islamic State, wars of religion.
  3. Asymmetrical war and guerrilla tactics are used more e.g. governments vs. rebel groups
  4. Increased blurring of the civilian/military divide
  5. Higher crime rate - systematic rape, murder, kidnapping, torture, car bombs, suicide attacks etc.
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17
Q

Is what ways is postmodern warfare of limited value?

A
  • Troops on the ground are stilling required
  • High tech warfare is only useful in small, low intensity wars where the enemy is highly mobile and difficult to distinguish from civilians.
  • Identity wars are necessarily long wars.
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18
Q

Define TERRORISM

A

Terrorism refers to any attempt to further political ends by using violence to create a climate of fear, apprehension and uncertainty.

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19
Q

What are the features of terrorism?

A
  • Involves an act of violence that has the desire to intimidate or terrify
  • Involves innocent victims , often civilians.
  • The violence is perpetrated by non state actors intent on influencing the actions of governments or IOs.
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20
Q

Why is the term ‘terrorism’ controversial and contested?

A
  • The term is subjective - one man’s terrorist is another mans freedom fighter
  • The term is pejorative, in that it expresses contempt and disapproval
  • The definition assumes you can separate terrorism from other kinds of violence. Radical theorists would disagree, and argue that states can conduct terrorism
    EXAMPLE: Obama’s use of drone attacks since 2009
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21
Q

How can new terrorism and old terrorism be distinguished?

A
  • Terrorism has become transnational through groups and ideas that cross borders.
    EXAMPLE: ETA in Spain and IRA in UK were in one country: al-Qaeda or IS cover lots of different states.
  • It is motivated by a broad and radical ideology (religion)
  • The advent of ‘catastrophic terrorism’ - i.e. creating the most destruction and gaining the most media attention for it.
  • New methods, such as increasingly popular suicide bombers.
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22
Q

What are examples of old terrorist groups?

A

ETA - Basque separatists who want independence from Spain
IRA - Irish Nationalists who want Northern Ireland to rejoin with the ROI
The Red Army Faction - radical left wing group who aimed for the overthrowing of capitalism in Germany.

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23
Q

What are examples of new terrorist groups?

A
  • ISIS
  • Al-Qaeda
  • the Taliban
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24
Q

What are the different types of terrorism?

A
  1. Insurrectionary terrorism - aimed at the revolutionary overthrow of a state
  2. Loner/issue terrorism - aimed at the promotion of a single issue
  3. Nationalist terrorism - aims to overthrow colonial rule or occupation, often with the goal of gaining independence from a country.
  4. Global/new terrorism - aimed at inflicting damage on a global power.
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25
Q

How can the concept of new terrorism be criticised?

A
  • Religiously inspired terrorism is not a new phenomenon
  • There are examples of traditional terrosist groups who have been equally as fanatical or uncompromising in their strategies e.g. the Tamil Tigers
  • Traditional groups have employed similar tactics to new ones and vice versa.
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26
Q

In what ways is terrorism a threat to global security?

A
  1. Portrayed as a child of globalisation - cross border flows of people, ideas and capital etc. Increased migration helps to provide fighters for various causes.
  2. Weapons of Mass Destruction present a catastrophic threat - terrorism is particularly difficult to defend against due to the small groups who are indistinguishable from civilians.
  3. Rise of religion and fundamentalist groups being unafraid to carry out huge attacks.
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27
Q

In what ways is terrorism not a threat to global security?

A
  1. Terrorism remains a weapon of the weak - organisations do not have military power and no real potential to overthrow strong governments.
  2. There is no unified enemy
  3. The attacks are contained in 5 or so countries
  4. The threat of terrorism has been exaggerated for political circumstances
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28
Q

What is the liberal view on terrorism?

A

They view terrorism as acts committed by non state actors. The influence of a political or religious ideology is a key factor, rather than the lust for power. To them, it is a direct attack on the liberal democratic freedoms. Any attempts at counter terrorism should keep in line with these values.

29
Q

What is the realist view on terrorism?

A

Terrorism is a violent challenge to established order, by a non state group. Motivations behind terrorism are largely strategic. The response to terrorism should be uncompromising and leaders should be willing to go against morals in order to prevent it.

30
Q

Define IDENTITY POLITICS

A

Identity politics’ central feature is that it seeks to challenge and overthrow oppression by reshaping a group’s identity through a process of politico-cultural self-assertion.

31
Q

What are the characteristics of identity politics?

A
  • Stereotypes used by dominant groups
  • Group marginalisation is seen as a cultural phenomenon
  • Subordination can be challenged by a reshaped identity that can give the group concerned a sense of pride.
32
Q

Why has identity politics increased?

A
  1. Post colonialism and the fight against oppression (mainly from Western countries)
  2. Failure of socialism and the collapse of communism
  3. Identity politics is seen as a resistance the the ‘flattening out’ of cultures via globalisation.
33
Q

Define FUNDAMENTALISM

A

Fundamentalism is a style of thought in which certain principles are recognized as essential truths that have unchallengeable and overriding authority, often associated with fierce, and sometimes fanatical, commitment.

34
Q

Define ISLAMISM (POLITICAL ISLAM)

A

Political Islam describes a political ideology, rather than a simple belief in Islam.

35
Q

What are the three common beliefs of Islam?

A
  • Society should be reconstructed to meet the ideals and principles of Islam.
  • Modern secular state is often rejected in favour of the ‘Islamic State’ - religious principles have primacy over political principles and authority.
  • The West and Western Values are seen as corrupt and corrupting, justifying for some, the notion of a jihad against them.
36
Q

Define the CLASH OF CIVILISATIONS

A

A clash of civilisations is the idea, coined by Samuel Huntington, that the fundamental source of conflict in the new world will not be primarily ideological or economic. Instead the source of conflict will be cultural.

37
Q

Define CULTURE

A

Culture is the way of life of individuals in a society. It is composed of the customs and norms handed down from generation to generation that inform social life.

38
Q

What are the arguments in favour of a clash of civilisations argument?

A
  • The importance of culture, including religion, language, history, tradition. These are all different for different countries and much more fundamental than differences between political ideologies.
  • The world is becoming smaller, thanks to globalisation. There will be a backlash against it (e.g. backlash against Western domination)
  • Resurgence of national and religious identity (e.g. Iranian Revolution 1979)
  • Civilisational tensions between states (linked with multipolarity)
39
Q

What are the arguments against a clash of civilisations argument?

A
  • We have complex and fragmented civilisations - Huntington’s theory is simplistic at best e.g Huntington predicted Ukraine and Russia would not go to war due to similar culture and then Russia annexed the Ukraine in 2014.
  • Globalisation has already blurred cultural differences in many parts of the world demonstrating that cultural harmony and peaceful coexistence is possible (Fukuyama’s End of History theory)
  • Culture is weakened due to civil wars, which are now much more common than interstate wars.
  • Tensions between states is normal and not always due to culture - culture clashes are often only pretexts for displays of great power politics
40
Q

Define the REVOLUTION OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

A

The revolution of military affairs refers to the development, particularly in the USA, of new military strategies based on technology and smart weapons. They are aimed at achieving swift and decisive outcomes.

41
Q

What are the main reasons for conflict between Islam and the West?

A
  1. The rise of political Islam - started by the Iranian Revolution (1979). Rejects morally corrupt Western societies and advocated jihad (holy war) to protect their values
  2. ‘War on Terror’ and terrorism - interpreted by radical groups as an attack on Islam
  3. Globalisation has made tensions worse - western imperialism and western ideals such as democracy, individualism, consumerism and human rights. Western population blame increased immigration
  4. Incompatibility of Western and Islamic values
42
Q

How and why has religion become more important in global politics?

A

How - Growth and growing importance of religiously inspired social and political movements
Why - Failure of universalist ideologies, such as the collapse of communism e.g. return to religious/national identity in the former Yugoslavia following Soviet influence
Why - Consequence of globalisation and western ideals of democracy, individualism, consumerism. Also, migration across borders.
Why - Religion provides certainty in an uncertain world, following postcolonialism

43
Q

Define NUCLEAR WEAPONS

A

Nuclear weapons use nuclear fission or fusion to destroy targets on a massive scale through the effect of blast, heat and radiation.

44
Q

When were nuclear weapons used?

A

Both used by the USA against Japan

  1. August 6th 1945 - Hiroshima
  2. August 9th 1945 - Nagasaki
45
Q

Why do states seek to acquire nuclear weapons?

A
  • As a prestige/status symbol used in great power politics
  • To ensure their own safety - acts as a deterrence weapon through MAD
  • To ensure the balance of power (balance of terror) - once a state has nuclear weapons it creates a security dilemma, so other states must acquire them to maintain peace.
46
Q

How do liberals view nuclear weapons?

A 
Highlight the possibility of miscalculation and mistakes. Argue that stability comes from international organisations and cooperation rather than an arms race. 
EXAMPLE: Scott Sagan
Robert McNamara (former US defence secretary) argued that it was sheer luck that prevented the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis descending into nuclear war.
47
Q

How do realists view nuclear weapons?

A

See them as quite key to international stability - their horrific potential means that no states dare use them. However, no state will willingly give them up either.

48
Q

Define HORIZONTAL PROLIFERATION

A

Horizontal proliferation is the acquisition of nuclear weapons by more states, leading to an increase in the numbers of members of the nuclear club.
Caused by regional conflict, rogue states and globalisation. Now more of a concern, since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

49
Q

Define VERTICAL PROLIFERATION

A

Vertical proliferation is the accumulation of nuclear weapons by existing nuclear states. More of a concern during the Cold War.

50
Q

What are examples of nuclear non proliferation treaties?

A
  • The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968)
  • The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1996)
  • Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty/ the Prague Treaty (2010)
51
Q

Why has nuclear proliferation become such a problem after the end of the Cold War?

A
  • Globalisation increased the spread of nuclear know how, meaning more states have been able to develop nuclear weapons illegally.
  • the NPT has been unable to prevent this
  • Increased use of civilian nuclear energy has allowed more development of nuclear weapons.
  • International Atomic Energy Agency inspections are often ineffective
52
Q

Which states are part of the nuclear club?

A

The USA, Russia, China, France, the UK, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea.
(P5 + PIIN)

53
Q

How do nuclear weapons maintain peace and security?

A
  • Realist MAD argument - the balance of terror
  • Horizontal proliferation has not been as destabilising as many feared
  • Nuclear weapons bring responsibility
  • Nuclear weapons are hard to make and get hold of
54
Q

How do nuclear weapons threaten peace and security?

A
  • Massive destructive capability, combined with human fallibility
  • More fingers on the nuclear trigger - horizontal proliferation
  • Threat of rogue states - dominated by military leaderships rather than liberal democracies
  • Terrorist threat - non state actors could acquire nuclear weapons
  • Increased development of military grade tactical nuclear weapons that could be used in battles
55
Q

Define CHEMICAL WEAPONS

A

Chemical weapons are munition that uses the toxic properties of chemicals formulated to inflict death or harm on human beings.
EXAMPLE: In April 2018, 70 people were killed in a chemical attack in Douma, a rebel-held area of Syria.

56
Q

Define BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

A

Biological weapons involve the use of biological toxins such as bacteria, viruses and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war. Also known as germ warfare.

57
Q

Define NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

A

Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, either by their acquisition by more states (horizontal) or their accumulation by nuclear club states (vertical).

58
Q

Define WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

A

WMD are weapons that kill large numbers of people and cause massive damage to buildings and other structures. Includes nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

59
Q

What are the features of WMD?

A
  • Mass collateral damage
  • Widely viewed as a non-legitimate form of warfare
  • Significant deterrence effect
60
Q

Why has nuclear arms control been difficult to bring about?

A
  • Vertical proliferation is difficult to bring about, due to the power and influence of the P5.
  • Ineffectiveness of non-proliferation treaties, and the fact that states have withdrawn (N Korea in 2003) or never signed (Israel, India)
  • States are more concerned with their own safety - nuclear weapons act as an effective deterrence (e.g. Libya got rid of theirs and was invaded). State sovereignty and self preservation is seen as more important than international law and treaties.
61
Q

Define ROGUE STATES

A

Rogue states are states that regularly breaks international law and poses a threat to the security of other nations.

62
Q

What are arguments for N Korea getting nuclear weapons?

A
  • Politically and economically isolated since the fall of the USSR and the rise of China.
  • They are motivated by fear, rather than aggression and so may feel safer with nuclear weapons.
  • Its overriding priority is regime preservation, particularly as it lacks serious regional ambitions
63
Q

What are arguments against N Korea getting nuclear weapons?

A
  • The state regularly disobeys international law and multinational agreements
  • Its leadership is erratic and autocratic
  • Record of brutal internal repression suggests a willingness to use violence
64
Q

What are the advantages of Iran getting nuclear weapons?

A
  • Motivated by fear of Israel and the USA
  • May improve relations with Israel, through a nuclear balance of power
  • Israel have had a nuclear monopoly in the Middle East since the 1960s, and no one else has started nuclear programmes of their own.
  • Nuclear proliferation of Iran rules out an attack on Israel - because of US link.
65
Q

What are the disadvantages of Iran getting nuclear weapons?

A
  • Nuclear Iran would pose a risk to the very existence of Israel
  • Iran may pass nuclear weapons on to radical non state actors, such as Hezbollah or Hamas
  • Would deeply upset regional stability
  • Would pose a threat to the US (either through ICBMs or promotion of anti-American terrorism).
66
Q

What was included in the Iranian Nuclear Deal?

A
  • Started in 2015
  • Reduction in centrifuges from over 20,000 to 5060 for the next 10 years
  • Reduced stockpile of enriched uranium - reduced by 98% to 300kg for 15 years
  • Inspections more frequent and sanctions could be reimposed
  • In return, crippling economic sanctions have been lifted.

BUT: Donald Trump pulled the USA out of the agreement in May 2018, choosing to reinstate sanctions.

67
Q

Define DISARMAMENT

A

Disarmament is the process of reducing, limiting or abolishing weapons.

68
Q

In what ways is conflict between Islam and the West avoidable?

A
  1. Both Islam and the West contain different fragmented civilisations e.g France and Germany didn’t join the war on terror and Islam is divided into Sunnis and Shia. The majority of practicing muslims reject political Islam
  2. Globalisation, complex interdependence and the blurring of cultural differences
    e. g London has a muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan and economic sanctions being lifted as part of the Iran nuclear deal
  3. The world has a number of global institutions that build trust between states
69
Q

Define ARMS CONTROL

A

Arms control refers to any plan, treaty, or agreement to limit the number, size, or type of weapons or armed forces of the participating nations.

A level Politics Unit 4 (4 decks)

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