1. STATES & NON-STATE ACTORS
Parties to Conflict
STATES & NON-STATE ACTORS

2. 1. States
Two major explanations for interstate war: structural (systemic) & dyadic (state-level, relationship btwn 2)

3. Systemic (Structural) Explanation for Interstate War
Characteristics of int’l system are root of war btwn states
Anarchy
Polarity
Interdependence

4. Anarchy Realism  int’l system is anarchic
States focus on self-interest, when must be aggressive, it’s for own protection
Inevitable for wars to break out periodically

5. Polarity Another realist explanation
Distribution of power (polarity: number of power centers- poles)
Unipolar, bipolar, multipolar, etc.
Which system of polarity is likely to lead to increased chance of conflict???

6. Interdependence
Liberal theory  importance of interdependence, cooperation
Multiple channels + varied issues in which states have interests = war is too costly
Relationships w/ high degree of interdependence ---- don’t see same effects of anarchic system

7. “Particularly among industrialized, pluralist countries, the perceived margin of safety has widened: Fears of attack in general have declined, and fears of attacks by one another are virtually nonexistent Canada’s last war plans for fighting the United States were abandoned half a century ago. Britain and Germany no longer feel threatened by each other. Intense relationships of mutual influence exist between these countries, but in most of them force is irrelevant or unimportant as an instrument of policy.”
“Global Politics” by Juliet Kaarbo, James Ray
Chapter 6: International Conflict: Explaining Interstate War

8. State-Level (Dyadic) Explanation for Interstate War
Dyadic explanations: interaction of characteristics of 2 states
War w/in democratic dyads extremely rare
Some types of state more war-prone than others due to various factors
Economy
Internal political opposition
Nature of political system

9. 1. Economy
Marxist theory– capitalist states are more war-prone
Overproduction, surplus, wealth inequality  want to fix these via imperialism
Imperialism involves military conflict
“In a world of many capitalist countries imperialism means economic competition between rival states. Each state strives to gain exclusive control over markets, raw materials, sources of cheap labor, naval bases, and investment opportunities. At some point, these can be gained only at the expense of other capitalist states. Economic conflict eventually leads to military conflict.”

10. But! Not all capitalist states have engaged in imperialism?
Not all conflicts btwn capitalist states end in war?
War has been around longer than capitalist economic systems?
States w/ socialist economies have often been in conflict, even w/ each other?

11. But again!
Even w/ criticisms, large possibility that economic conditions provide explanation for war (good conditions is when states can afford military ventures!)
War may benefit certain economic interests
Weapons manufacturers
Military industrial complex (military + bureaucracy + defense)

12. 2. Internal Opposition & Types of Political Systems
Liberal theory: states w/ democratic systems less war prone than non-demo states
Cultural values of peaceful resolution
Constraints in democratic structures
Opposition often views war as counter to cultural norms
Leaders of demo states are accountable (vote)

13. Democratic states just as likely to go to war, but much less likely to become involved in war with each other
“Democratic peace proposition”
Criticism: depends on definition & scope of definition of democracy

14. “If democracy is designed as a type of political system in which the identities of the leaders of the executive branch and the members of the national legislature are selected in elections involving at least two independent political parties, in which at least half the adult population is eligible to vote, and in which the possibility that the governing party will lose has been established by historical precedent, then None of those [controversial] cases is appropriately categorized as an international war between democratic states.”

15. Should states intervene to promote democratization?
Groups of 2 (one 3)
Develop argument for one side
Will be paired with group from opposing side
Present arguments to each other/ take notes on opposing side’s argument(s) so you can give a brief rebuttal afterwards
Take off role play hats & discuss as a group your personal consensus

16. 2. Non-State Actors