Is conflict between states inevitable?

Question 1

Realist: Why will states inevitably come into conflict with each other?

Answer 1

• World is inherently anarchic
• States act in their own self-interest
• States will inevitably come into conflict with each other

Question 2

Neo-realist: Why are states forced to rely on self-help in order to achieve security and what is the impact of this?

Answer 2

• Neo-realists argue that as international system in anarchic, states are forced to rely on self-help in order to achieve security
• Through acquisition of military power, likely to lead to war

Question 3

Realist: What do all realists agree can prevent war and conflict?

Answer 3

All realists agree a balance of power can prevent war + conflict

Question 4

Realist: What is the balance of power?

Answer 4

National security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so no one state is strong enough to dominate all others

Question 5

Realist: How is the Cold War an example of balance of power?

Answer 5

Mutually assured destruction meant neither superpower in bipolar world was willing to attack the other, which led to a lack of direct conflict

(Doesn’t take into account proxy wars)

Question 6

Realist: Which states have seen a decline in conflict since they have acquired nuclear weapons?

Answer 6

• Balance of power

- Decline in conflict between India + Pakistan since both states have acquired nuclear weapons

Question 7

Realists: Why might states avoid war?

Answer 7

• Realists agree states are likely to avoid war if chance of victory is slim
• Not in self-interest

Question 8

Realists: What should states who want to avoid war do?

Answer 8

• States who desire peace must prepare for war (Vegetius)
• In hope of deterring potential aggressors + preventing any other state or coalition becoming dominant
• May lead to vicious cycle of security dilemma

Question 9

Realists: Why is conflict between Islam and the West inevitable?

Answer 9

• Western foreign-policy is anti-Islam

- eg. Donald Trump’s Muslim ban

Question 10

Liberalism: Why do liberals reject the realist notion that war is the natural condition of world politics?

Answer 10

• Human beings can be improved
• Belief in progress
• So liberal reject the realist notions that war is the natural condition of world politics

Question 11

Liberalism: What should international anarchy be replaced by?

Answer 11

• Liberals accept state egoism in a world of anarchy makes war likely
• But believe international anarchy should be replaced by international law
• Through the construction of IOs and IVOs eg. UN

Question 12

Liberalism: Why does conflict arise?

Answer 12

Conflict comes as the result of states’ desire to achieve economic self-sufficiency eg. Nazi Germany

Question 13

Liberalism: How can peace be achieved?

Answer 13

• Peace can be achieve through international free trade + other forms of economic interdependence
• Make war so costly it becomes unthinkable

Question 14

Liberalism: What is the inevitability of conflict dependant on?

Answer 14

Inevitability of conflict is dependant on the constitutional character of the state in question

Question 15

Liberalism: Why are dictatorships more likely to instigate conflict?

Answer 15

Dictatorships are more expansionist + militaristic in order to achieve domestic and foreign goals

Question 16

Liberalism: Why are democracies less likely to instigate conflict?

Answer 16

• Democracies are more peaceful + democratic, at least with other democracies
• Democratic Peace Theory

Question 17

Liberalism: Is conflict between Islam and the West inevitable?

Answer 17

• Conflict between Islam + West is not inevitable
• Both are massively interdependent
• eg. OPEC is an IVO of 14 states which produce + supply oil to states globally. 9/14 states are Islamic
• Thus conflict is not inevitable due to liberal idea of economic interdependence