Section IV Flashcards
Conflict of Interests
Conflicts over tangible, material
things. Focused on by materialists
Conflict of Ideas
Conflicts over intangible things, focused on by idea-ists like constructivists
Conflict Resolution
The end of a conflict either by backing down (one or both give up some of their preferences), coexist (both work around it and go on), compromise (arrive at a settlement, each give up something), use leverage to get the other side to do a, b, or, c
Leverage
Using your capabilities to reach a certain outcome that you desire
Total War
Unrestricted warfare by one stage waged to destroy/conquer/occupy another
Limited War
A war in which the weapons used, the nations or territory involved, or the objectives pursued are restricted in some way
Civil War
War between factions within a state trying to create or prevent a new government for the entire state or some territorial part of it
Guerilla War
Warfare without frontlines and with irregular forces operating in the midst of and often hidden or protected by civilian populations
Counterinsurgency
An effort to combat guerrilla armies, often including programs to “win the hearts and minds” of rural populations so that they stop sheltering guerrillas.
Terrorism
The calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to create fear and achieve political objectives, often targeting civilians or governments
Irredentism
A form of nationalism whose goal is to regain territory lost to another state; it can lead directly to violent interstate conflicts
Ethnic Cleansing
Forced displacement of an ethnic group or groups from a territory accompanied by massacres and other human rights violations, it has occurred after the breakup of multinational states
Defense
Repel an attack after it has happened
Deterrence
Threaten to retaliate if attacked, so that other side won’t attack
Compellence / Offense
Attack first to impose your will on the other side, keep attacking until the other side collapses or does what you want
Conventional Weapons
Non-weapons-of-mass-destruction (WMD) that are used in conflict and crime
Absolute Weapons
Weapons that don’t fight other weapons, have a bigger impact, and are usually nuclear
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, all distinguished from conventional weapons by their enormous potential lethality and their relative lack of discrimination in whom they kill.
Strategy
The overarching, long-term plan or approach to achieve national goals
Tactics
The specific, shorter-term actions or maneuvers taken to implement and support that strategy
Second Strike Force
A country’s assured ability to respond to a nuclear attack with powerful nuclear retaliation against the attacker
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
The longest-range ballistic missiles, able to travel 5,000 miles
Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
(SLBM)
A ballistic missile designed to be launched from a submarine, typically with nuclear warheads,
Non-Proliferation Treaty
Established in 1968, a treaty that created a framework for controlling the spread of nuclear materials and expertise
Antiballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty
Signed in 1972, this treaty was an agreement between the US and the USSR which aimed to limit the development and use of anti-ballistic missile system (designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles)
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)/Missile
Defense Program
In 1983, Reagan developed an initiative to create a space-based missile defense program in order to protect the US from nuclear attacks.
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
A treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1996 which prohibited nuclear tests
Guns Versus Butter
A simple economics concept that describes the tradeoff governments face in spending on national defense or on domestic programs
Proliferation
The spread or increase of nuclear weapons, and, sometimes, other destructive military technologies and systems.
International Law
Laws that transcend borders and apply to states and, in some cases, individuals. Often relies on states to sign treaties to be enforced
UN General Assembly
A body composed of representatives of all states that allocates UN funds, passes nonbinding resolutions, and coordinates programs in the Global South and various autonomous agencies through the Economic and Social Council
UN Secretariat
The UN’s executive branch, led by the Secretary General.
World Court (International Court of Justice)
The judicial arm of the UN; located in The Hague (city in Netherland) , it hears only cases between states.
Collective Security
An arrangement between states where an attack on one is considered an attack on all, leading to a united response by all to defend the victim
Peacekeeping
The deployment of military and civilian personnel by international organizations, like the UN, to help maintain or restore peace in areas experiencing conflict or post-conflict situations, often involving monitoring ceasefires, separating warring parties, and supporting political processes
Development
The multifaceted pursuit of improving the well-being of individuals and societies worldwide, often focusing on economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability, with a goal of promoting a more equitable and just world
Diplomatic Recognition
The process by which the status of embassies and that of an ambassador as an official state representative are
explicitly defined.
Diplomatic Immunity
A privilege under which diplomats’ activities fall outside the jurisdiction of the host country’s national courts.
War Crimes
Violations of the law governing the conduct of warfare, such as mistreatment of prisoners of war or the unnecessary targeting of civilians
International Criminal Court
A permanent tribunal for war crimes and crimes against humanity (prosecutes individuals rather than states)
Just Wars
A category in international law and political theory that defines when wars can be justly started and how they can be justly fought
Human Rights
The rights of all people to be free from abuses such as torture or imprisonment for their political beliefs and to enjoy certain minimum economic and social protections
Crimes Against Humanity
A category of legal offenses created at the Nuremberg trials after World War II to encompass genocide and other acts committed by the political and military leaders of the Third Reich (Nazi Germany).
Prisoners of War
Soldiers who have surrendered and who thereby receive special status under the laws of war
