Chapter 18 War and Terrorism

War and Peace: Basic Definitions War- violent conflict among nations or organized groups Peace- absence of violent conflict Wars have always been part of human history Over the centuries the level of war-related violence has increased Twentieth century – thirteen major conflicts

The Increasing Destruction of War War has been common throughout human history Level and destructive nature of war (weaponry) has increased over time The twentieth century and weapons of mass destruction-weapons that have the destructive capacity to kill many thousands of people at the same time

Causes of War Seven factors the promote the outbreak of war: 1. Perceived threats 2. Cultural and religious differences 3. Political objectives 4. Moral objectives 5. Wealth, power, and global standing 6. Social problems 7. Absence of alternatives

The Economic Costs of Militarism Global military spending exceeds $1 trillion annually U.S. defense budget for 2005 was $450 billion or about $1,500 for each person in the United States Factors underlying military spending The cold war era Post cold war and the world is still a dangerous place

The Economic Costs of Militarism Factors underlying military spending Military-industrial complex-political alliance involving the federal government, the military, and the defense industries

The Economic Costs of War Military spending Destruction of the infrastructure of a society Homes Workplace Water systems Electrical and communication network Other…

The Human Costs of War Developments related to war in the twentieth century Loss of human life has increased with the level of military technology Total war-deadly conflict that targets population centers as well as military targets Concentration camps-internment centers for prisoners confined for purposes of state security, exploitation, punishment, or execution

Conventional war crimes Crimes against humanity The Human Costs of War War Crimes-offense against the law of war as established by international agreements and international law WW II and the Geneva Convention and three categories of war crimes Crimes against peace Conventional war crimes Crimes against humanity

The Human Costs of War WW II and the Geneva Convention recognized three categories of war crimes 1. Crimes against peace starting or preparing to go to war against another nation 2. Conventional war crimes murder, rape, torture or ill treatment of people in any occupied territory 3. Crimes against humanity genocide

The Human Costs of War War and Children Loss life Orphaned War-Related Disabilities Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Illness and disability

War in the Nuclear Age Nuclear weapons-bombs that use nuclear reactions to generate enormous destructive force The Increase and Spread of Nuclear Weapons Major nuclear powers United States Russia Israel North Korea

War in the Nuclear Age The Increase and Spread of Nuclear Weapons, or nuclear proliferation Other countries with nuclear weapons Great Britain France India Pakistan People’s Republic of China

War in the Nuclear Age The Effects of Nuclear War Destruction of human life Nuclear winter and the destruction of the ecosystem Decline in temperature Semi-darkness

Strategies for Peace Deterrence- strategy to keep peace based on the threat of retaliation MAD-mutual assured destruction High-Technology Defense- the use of high technology, including satellites and ground installations, to shield the United States from attack SDI-strategic defense initiative

Strategies for Peace Arms Control- international agreements to limit the development, testing, production, and deployment of weapons SALT-(1970s)strategic arms limitation talks START-(1991)strategic arms reduction talk Resolving Underlying Conflicts Diplomacy and peace negotiations

Terrorism Terrorism-unlawful and typically random acts of violence or the threat of such violence employed by an individual, group, or government to achieve a political goal State sponsored terrorism-one government provides money, weapons, and training for terrorists who engage in violence in another nation

Terrorism Repressive state terrorism-government use of ruthless violence within its own borders to eliminate political opposition

The Extent of Terrorism Terrorism: Global Perspective Terrorism around the world Irish Republican Army (IRA) Post WWII and the militant faction of the Zionist movement Current terrorism is directed towards U.S. interests Al-Qaeda

The Extent of Terrorism Terrorism in the United States Post-slavery and the Ku Klux Klan Employers and the labor movement Industrial Workers of the World Weather Underground group of the 1960s Islamic fundamentalist (1993) group and the world trade center Timothy McVeigh September 11, 2001

Costs of Terrorism Loss of life 40,000 a year are harmed around the world on an annual basis Psychological cost Financial cost

Terrorism as a Type of War Terrorism differs from conventional war: 1. The warring parties are not clearly known 2. The objectives of the terrorist groups are not clearly stated 3. Terrorism is asymmetrical

Strategies for Dealing with Terrorism Make no concessions Giving in only produces more terrorism Prosecute terrorists Apply economic sanctions Against nations that sponsor terrorism Use Military Force Defend against terrorism Address the root causes of terrorism Examine underlying conflicts and conditions

Biological Theories of War Konrad Lorenz resort to violence to protect territory instinctual matter of survival Edward O. Wilson war results from the innate tendency of aggression and competition

Structural-Functional Analysis: The Functions of Conflict Functions of war Establishing political boundaries Uniting a population against a common enemy Improving the status of minorities

Symbolic-Interaction Analysis: The Meanings of Conflict Meanings that people attach to war and conflict The use of symbols and meanings to mobilize a population to war Symbols to define the nature of war and enemy

Social-Conflict Analysis: Inequality and Conflict War is a function of the struggle for power and wealth Haves and have nots War evolves out of conflict or competition between groups or nations

Conservatives: Strength Means Security Strong military Increase military spending Hard line against terrorists-bring them to justice military response

Liberals: The Danger of Militarism Necessary military force and spending to defend national interests Impact of military spending on the society Diplomacy

Radicals: The Need for Justice Radicals on the left- root cause of war is inequality Change the status of the poor people around the world Move towards social justice around the world U.S. is protecting U.S. interests around the world Keeps corporate profits high