War and International

Relations: Types and Theories

and Impact
Explore the various factors and perspectives that contribute to the
outbreak of armed conflicts.

AA by Aashutosh Aahire
Defining War

Minimum Criteria
Lists of wars often set a minimum of 1,000 battle deaths to distinguish
war from lower-level violence.

Diverse Activities
The term "war" covers many different activities, making it difficult to
count the number of wars occurring.

Bargaining Role
Wars arise from different situations and play different roles in bargaining
over conflicts.
Hegemonic War
Definition
Hegemonic war is a war over control of the entire world order,
including the role of world hegemony.

Historical Context
The last hegemonic war was World War II.

Modern Implications
Largely because of the power of modern weaponry, this kind of war
probably cannot occur any longer without destroying civilization.
Total War
Defining Total War Historical Evolution Civilian Targets Last Great Power
Conflict
Total war is warfare by Total war emerged with In total war, the entire
one state to conquer the Napoleonic Wars society of the enemy is The last total war
and occupy another, and evolved with considered a legitimate between great powers
with the goal of forcing industrialization, target, as seen in WWII was World War II,
the enemy's surrender integrating all of society with attacks on civilians. marking the end of this
and replacing their and economy into the highly destructive form
government. war effort. of warfare.
Limited War

Retaking Territory Defending Gains Border Conflicts

Limited wars aim to gain specific After occupying disputed territory, Many limited wars involve border
objectives without full occupation, states may stop short and defend disputes, where states seek to
like the 1991 US-led war against Iraq their gains, as Russia did in Georgia occupy land without full conquest
to retake Kuwait. in 2008. of the enemy.
Raids
Limited Destruction
Raids involve a single, limited action like a bombing run or quick
incursion, with destruction that is over quickly.

Gray Area
Raids fall between wars and non-wars, as they are limited in scope
but can fuel cycles of retaliation.

Example
In 2007, Israel bombed a suspected Syrian nuclear facility to stop
nuclear weapons progress.
Civil War

Brutal Conflicts Civilian Suffering Rebel Support

Civil wars are often among the most Civil wars frequently lead to Sustaining a civil war often requires
brutal, as people fight against their immense civilian suffering, with external support, whether from
own citizens with the same cruelty massacres, death squads, and neighboring states, diaspora
as fighting foreign enemies. displacement of populations communities, or revenue from
common occurrences. natural resources.
Guerrilla War
Irregular Warfare Challenges for Evolving Warfare Civilian Suffering
Conventional Armies
Guerrilla war involves Warfare is increasingly Guerrilla wars are
irregular forces Conventional armies irregular and guerrilla- extremely painful for
operating among civilian fighting guerrillas style, moving away from civilians, who suffer from
populations, aiming to struggle to distinguish open, conventional lawlessness and violence
harass and limit the them from civilians, clashes of large state when neither side firmly
enemy's operations often punishing both armies. controls an area.
rather than confront together, as exemplified
them directly. by the infamous "destroy
the village to save it"
quote.
Theories of the Causes of War
The Roman writer Seneca said nearly 2,000 years ago: “Of war men ask
the outcome, not the cause.” This is not true of political scientists. They
want to know why countries fight.
Individual Level Analysis
Rational Decisions
Wars are the result of conscious, reasoned decisions by national
leaders based on calculations of potential gains.

Realist Perspective
The use of war and other violent means is seen as normal and rational
in international conflicts.

Calculating Costs
Both parties decide to go to war when they believe they can achieve
more than by remaining at peace.
Deviations from Rationality
1 Individual Decision-Making
Conflicts may escalate to war due to irrational decision-making by
national leaders, such as information screens, cognitive biases, and
groupthink.

2 Public Mentality
Public nationalism, ethnic hatred, or an innate tendency toward
violence may pressure leaders to resolve conflicts violently.

3 Rationality Critique
These theories suggest that deviations from rational decision-
making, both at the individual and societal level, can lead to the
outbreak of war.
Critique of Individual Level
Theories

Some wars reflect rational calculations, while others are mistakes.

Individual leaders can shift from war to peace, like Anwar Sadat.

Leaders of diverse backgrounds and genders have led states to war.

Domestic Level Analysis

Domestic Political Factors

Characteristics of states or societies that influence their propensity for
using violence.

Ideological Differences
Competing ideologies like capitalism and communism can contribute to
interstate conflicts.

Cultural Factors
The nature of a society, whether agrarian or industrialized, can impact its
tendency for warfare.
Domestic Political Factors
Democratic Peace Domestic Influences
Democracies rarely fight other democracies, though Political parties, interest groups, and legislatures can
both democracies and authoritarian states engage in play a key role in whether international conflicts
wars. escalate into wars.
Interstate Level Analysis
Power Transition Theory
Conflicts arise when a rising power threatens to overtake a declining
hegemon in the international system.

Deterrence vs. Arms Races

Theories differ on whether building up power prevents or causes
wars, with no clear formula to determine which applies.

Competing Principles
Deterrence and arms races represent incompatible principles at the
interstate level, with no consensus on when each applies.
Global Level Analysis

Cyclical Patterns Explaining Tendencies Global Influences

Theories link major wars to long These cyclical theories can explain Factors at the global level, such as
economic cycles and the creation general trends toward war in the economic cycles and power
and decay of world orders. international system over time. dynamics, can shape the outbreak
of major wars.
Linear Long-Term Change
Theory
1 Declining Relevance of War
War and military force becoming less effective in today's complex,
interdependent world.

2 Powerful Military Technology

Modern military technology, especially nuclear weapons, too
powerful for practical use in most conflicts.

3 Historical Analogies
Comparisons to the decline of practices like slavery and dueling
suggest war may become obsolete.

4 Empirical Basis
Strong empirical evidence for this trend, but no consensus on the
best explanation.
Conclusion
Competing theories offer different explanations for why some conflicts
become violent and others do not. Studying various types of conflicts can
provide insight into what states are fighting about, though predicting
future wars remains challenging.
War and International
Relations
The impact of war on international relations is profound and
multifaceted, influencing diplomacy, alliances, economic interactions,
and global governance. Here are some key areas where war impacts
international relations:
Key Areas of War's Impact on International
Relations

1 Power Dynamics and Balance of Power

Wars often lead to shifts in power that reshape international hierarchies. For example, World Wars I
and II drastically changed global power structures, leading to the decline of European empires and
the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers. This shift created a bipolar world
during the Cold War era.

2 Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

War impacts the tone and direction of diplomacy. During conflicts, diplomatic relations can become
strained or severed, and states often shift foreign policies to either support or oppose belligerent
nations.

3 International Organizations and Global Governance

Wars have historically prompted the creation or strengthening of international organizations aimed
at promoting peace and cooperation, such as the League of Nations and later the United Nations
(UN). These bodies work to mitigate conflict, offer platforms for negotiation, and provide
humanitarian aid during crises.
Power Dynamics and Balance of
Power
1 Shifts in Global Power
Wars often lead to shifts in power that reshape international
hierarchies. For example, World Wars I and II drastically changed
global power structures, leading to the decline of European
empires and the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as
superpowers. This shift created a bipolar world during the Cold War
era.

2 Altering Alliances
Wars can alter alliances and balance-of-power considerations, as
states seek security through alliances to either counterbalance a
powerful adversary or deter aggression.
Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Impact on Diplomatic Relations Post-War Diplomacy
War impacts the tone and direction of diplomacy. Diplomacy also evolves to address post-war scenarios.
During conflicts, diplomatic relations can become After major conflicts, treaties and peace settlements
strained or severed, and states often shift foreign (like the Treaty of Versailles or the UN Charter after
policies to either support or oppose belligerent WWII) are established to create norms and avoid
nations. future conflicts.
International Organizations and
Global Governance
Creation of International Organizations
Wars have historically prompted the creation or strengthening of
international organizations aimed at promoting peace and
cooperation, such as the League of Nations and later the United
Nations (UN). These bodies work to mitigate conflict, offer platforms
for negotiation, and provide humanitarian aid during crises.

Development of International Laws

Conflicts also push the development of international laws, especially
concerning humanitarian issues, war crimes, and crimes against
humanity. The Geneva Conventions, for example, were created in
response to the atrocities of war.
Humanitarian Impact and Global Public Opinion

Humanitarian Crises Shifting Public Opinion

War often leads to large-scale humanitarian crises, with Global public opinion can also shift due to war,
significant impacts on refugees, poverty, and human influencing international policy. Public opposition to
rights. These situations prompt international responses the Vietnam War, for instance, affected the US's
and influence relations as countries negotiate refugee approach to international interventions and shaped a
policies and humanitarian aid. more cautious foreign policy.
Economic Relations and Trade
Trade Disruption
War disrupts trade and economic ties, especially if major
1 trading partners are involved. For instance, the 1973 Yom
Kippur War led to an oil embargo by OPEC countries, which
had global economic repercussions.

Post-War Reconstruction
Post-war reconstruction can lead to economic opportunities
and partnerships, as countries engage in rebuilding efforts.
2
The Marshall Plan, where the US aided European
reconstruction after WWII, is a key example of how
economic aid can be used as a tool for building alliances.
Technological Advancements and Military
Alliances

Technological Acceleration Arms Races

Wars often accelerate technological developments that Advanced technologies also influence arms races,
reshape military alliances and security strategies. For which can foster instability and competition among
instance, the Cold War spurred advances in nuclear and nations, while also creating the potential for cooperative
space technology, leading to deterrence strategies like agreements, like the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) and the formation (START).
of alliances like NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
Regional and Global Stability
Region Impact on Stability Global
Consequences

Middle East Enduring conflicts Influence on

regional alliances
and global
involvement

Power Vacuums Regional Rise of terrorism,

destabilization organized crime,
and extremism
Conclusion
1 Shaping International Relations
In essence, wars deeply shape the framework of international
relations by altering power structures, shaping diplomatic
relations, prompting institutional evolution, and affecting global
economies and public opinion.

2 Importance of Understanding
This complex web of interactions illustrates why understanding the
impacts of war is essential for analyzing international relations and
working towards lasting global peace.