LEC14: War & Society Flashcards
What is the CNN-effect:
communications theory of IR that asserts that global tv networks have
become a decisive actor in determining policies and outcomes of signific
- War was filmed live; camera crews were sent all over the world
- War now felt closer; able to view it whenever one wanted
- Some say that whatever Trump spoke about was on Fox the day prior; as if he was
watching Fox for all his information - One could argue that it died in Syria; people were desensitized; it was constantly
shown; but it’s not always this way - Propaganda & Information Weapon
- There have always been broadcasters (back in the day; newspaper writer, now;
social media influencers)
What is Propaganda
Propaganda ‘the deliberate attempt to influence people to think and behave in a desired way’ (Philip Taylor)
What is Rupert Smith’s opinion on the new way of warfighting?
The ends of war are changing from outright victory to the creation of particular sets
of conditions
Fighting occurs among the people, for the will of the people
Old weapons are used for new means
Almost always, conflict involves non-state actors
What about Legitimacy in contemporary armed conflict?
Legitimacy is key in success in armed conflict & simply attaining ones goals
Moving images (news coverage) are key in creating & maintaining legitimacy
Every system of authority attempts to establish and to cultivate belief in its
legitimacy
Definition: generalised perception or assumption that the actions of an entity are
desirable, proper, appropriate within some socially constructed system of norms, values, beliefs (look at the other definitions on the slides)
What are Weber’s 3 types of legitimising authority?
*legal or rational grounds, resting on a belief in the legality of enacted rules and the right of those elevated to authority under such rules to issue commands;
*traditional grounds, resting on an established belief in the sanctity of immemorial traditions and legitimacy of the status of those exercising authority under them;
*charismatic grounds, resting on devotion to the specific and exceptional sanctity, heroism, or exemplary character of an individual person, and of the normative patterns, or order revealed, or ordained by him
What is the role of narratives in warfare.
Narratives: Nye (2008): in the info age, success is not merely the result of whose army wins, but also whose story wins
To be successful: legitimising narratives have to fit pre-existing ideas, beliefs & experiences of any give group.
Footage shown on tv were bought by stations from usually one narrative
Everyone could ‘make the images’, were no longer just controlled by gov or networks
What effects did freeman distinguish on tv coverage on huminatarian military interventions
Freedman distinguished 3 effects of tv coverage on humanitarian military interventions
CNN-effect: “we have to intervene even if we don’t want to”
Bodybags effect: 1991-2009, Obama; illegal for US tv channels to show caskets draped with an American flag
Bullying effect: use of excessive force drains away from public support (from home;
but also allies, )
What is the Body Bag Effect?
The term “body bag effect” is often used in the context of public opinion and war. It refers to the hypothesis that public support for a war declines as military deaths (often symbolized by body bags) increase1. This is due to the changing cost-benefit calculation of the engagement amongst increasing portions of the population1.
In other words, as the human cost of a conflict becomes more apparent (through increasing numbers of body bags), public opinion tends to turn against the war. This effect has been studied in relation to various conflicts, including the Iraq War.
What is Multidimensional Trinity?
The multidimensional trinity is an extension of the traditional work of Clausewitz.
In the context of Gow’s work, the Multidimensional Trinity is used to understand the complexities of modern warfare, including the changing nature of warfare and strategy, and the link between issues of justice and legitimacy. It is considered an important element in understanding the concepts of both success and legitimacy within modern warfare
The Multidimensional Trinity concept is further discussed in the context of the prosecution of war crimes and the strategic pressures that the emphasis on war crimes creates2. This analysis is informed by the perspectives of professionals, both on the strategic pressures that the emphasis on war crimes creates, and on the boundaries of wrong and right in the scope of contemporary warfare
What are the differences between Clausewitz’s trinity and Gow’s Multidimensional Trinity Cubed-Plus?
Clausewitz’s trinity comprises the population, the armed forces, and the government. He describes war in holistic terms as a paradoxical trinity comprised of the tendencies of the people, the commander and his army, and the government. In war, these three elements interact within and among the other elements to create a pattern of behavior that is understandable yet difficult to predict.
The Multidimensional Trinity concept by James Gow extends this framework to understand the complexities of modern warfare, including the changing nature of warfare and strategy, and the link between issues of justice and legitimacy. It is considered an important element in understanding the concepts of both success and legitimacy within modern warfare
