Civil Wars
An armed conflict that takes place within a state.
What is an intrastate war?
What is the difference between preemptive and preventive war?
Preemptive war responds to an imminent threat, while preventive war aims to stop a potential future threat.
Which five countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council?
The United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom
What does R2P stand for?
Responsibility to Protect.
Which IR theory emphasizes power, security, and national interests?
Realism.
What are the two main explanations for civil war discussed by Collier and Hoeffler?
Greed and grievance.
What are three conditions that must be met for a war to be considered just under Just War Theory?
A just cause, such as self-defense.
War must be the last resort.
War must be declared by a legitimate authority.
Military force must be proportional to the threat.
Proper conduct must be followed during warfare.
According to Balance of Power theory, what do weaker states often do when one state becomes too powerful?
They balance against it, often by forming alliances or increasing their own capabilities.
What is the main conflict between state sovereignty and humanitarian intervention?
Sovereignty protects a country's right to govern itself, while humanitarian intervention may involve outside interference to protect civilians.
Which IR theory emphasizes international institutions and cooperation?
Liberalism.
How can natural resources such as oil and diamonds contribute to civil wars?
Natural resources can provide money to finance rebel groups and create conflicts over who controls the resources.
Why is preventive war controversial under international law?
Because attacking another country based on a possible future threat may violate international law and cannot automatically be justified as self-defense.
What is the security dilemma in international relations?
When one country increases its military power for protection, other countries may feel threatened and increase their own military power, creating insecurity for everyone.
Long Cycle Theory focuses on changes in what?
Global leadership over long periods of time.
How would realism explain why a powerful country intervenes in another country's civil war?
The country intervenes to protect its national security, strategic interests, or influence.
If many people experience poverty and political discrimination, why do some groups rebel while others do not?
Because grievances alone are not enough. Groups also need resources, organization, and opportunities to sustain rebellion.
What do we call a conflict where one side has significantly greater military capabilities?
Asymmetric warfare
What is the difference between permanent and nonpermanent members of the UN Security Council?
Permanent members have veto power and hold their seats continuously, while nonpermanent members are elected for two-year terms and do not have veto power.
What type of military capability is especially important in the Long Cycle material?
Naval or sea power.
How would liberalism explain the role of the United Nations in preventing conflict?
The UN helps countries cooperate, establish common rules, share information, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Why do weaker rebel groups often choose unconventional warfare?
Because they cannot easily defeat stronger armies in direct battles.
What does the principle of "last resort" mean in Just War Theory?
War should only be used after peaceful solutions have been attempted.
What is the difference between having the power to intervene and having the legitimacy to intervene?
Power means having the military capability to intervene, while legitimacy means having a recognized or accepted justification for that intervention.
What are the three main bargaining problems?
Information problems, commitment problems, and indivisibility.
Why might two countries respond differently to the same humanitarian crisis?
Because countries have different national interests, security concerns, political relationships, and economic interests.