Question 1

Discuss how poverty, ethnic hatred and demographic pressures can lead to civil war.Discuss a case study in which at least two of these factors have led to civil war.

Accepted Answer

Poverty, ethnic hatred, and demographic pressures can all contribute to the outbreak of civil war.

Poverty can create a sense of desperation and hopelessness among a population, leading to increased willingness to resort to violence as a means of addressing grievances. Lack of access to resources and economic opportunities can also exacerbate existing social and political tensions, making it easier for conflict to escalate into civil war.

Ethnic hatred can be a powerful driver of civil war, as deep-seated animosities and historical grievances can fuel violent conflict between different ethnic groups. When these tensions are not addressed through peaceful means, they can erupt into full-scale civil war, with each side seeking to assert its dominance and protect its interests.

Demographic pressures, such as rapid population growth and competition for limited resources, can also contribute to the outbreak of civil war. As populations expand, the strain on resources can lead to increased competition and conflict, particularly in regions where there are already existing social, economic, or political tensions.

A case study that illustrates how these factors can lead to civil war is the conflict in Rwanda in 1994. The country was plagued by extreme poverty, with a large portion of the population living in dire conditions. This poverty, combined with ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi populations, created a volatile environment in which violence erupted. The demographic pressures of a rapidly growing population further exacerbated these tensions, leading to a genocide in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed.

In this case, poverty, ethnic hatred, and demographic pressures all played a significant role in the outbreak of civil war, demonstrating how these factors can interact and escalate into widespread violence. It is important for policymakers and international actors to address these underlying issues in order to prevent future conflicts from erupting.

Question 2

Failing states are those states that

Accepted Answer

A)  have recently lost a war.
B)  suffer economic problems due to trade imbalances.
C)  lack control over territory and cannot provide basic services.
D)  have not yet been recognized by the international community.
E)  are engaged in lengthy civil wars. C

Question 3

Scholars identify four generations of warfare.Describe how the tactics and strategies changed for each generation.Then give an example of a specific war for each generation and show how those tactics and strategies were employed.

Accepted Answer

The four generations of warfare are often identified as follows:

1st Generation: This generation of warfare is characterized by linear tactics and strategies, with large, formal armies engaging in set-piece battles. The focus is on attrition and the use of firepower to break the enemy's will to fight. An example of a specific war for this generation is the Napoleonic Wars, where armies used traditional tactics such as line formations and cavalry charges to engage the enemy.

2nd Generation: This generation of warfare is marked by the use of mass firepower and maneuver warfare. The focus is on achieving decisive victory through the use of combined arms and coordinated attacks. An example of a specific war for this generation is World War I, where armies used artillery barrages, machine guns, and tanks to break through enemy lines and gain ground.

3rd Generation: This generation of warfare emphasizes speed, agility, and decentralized command. The focus is on using technology and information to gain a strategic advantage and disrupt the enemy's decision-making process. An example of a specific war for this generation is the Gulf War, where the use of precision-guided munitions and advanced communication systems allowed for rapid and decisive military action.

4th Generation: This generation of warfare is characterized by the blurring of traditional boundaries between combatants and non-combatants, as well as the use of irregular and asymmetric tactics. The focus is on influencing the enemy's will to fight through non-traditional means such as propaganda and unconventional warfare. An example of a specific war for this generation is the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, where insurgent groups use guerrilla tactics and propaganda to undermine the efforts of conventional military forces.

In summary, the tactics and strategies of warfare have evolved over time, from traditional linear tactics to modern asymmetric warfare, reflecting changes in technology, society, and the nature of conflict.

Question 4

Discuss how xenophobia, extreme nationalism, and a glorification of male martial virtues can lead to inter-state war.Discuss a case study in which at least two of these factors have led to the outbreak of war.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss how xenophobia, extreme nationalism, and a...

Question 5

One trend in contemporary warfare is the growing number of armed conflicts among states in the Global North, who have much more of a stake in winning.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Terrorism is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  First Generation War.
B)  Second Generation War.
C)  Third Generation War.
D)  Fourth Generation War.
E)  Fifth Generation War.

Question 7

Asymmetrical war refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  pre-World War I fighting tactics.
B)  the use of firepower and speed as opposed to attrition.
C)  armed conflict between large and small states.
D)  conflict between state and irregular forces of nonstate actors.
E)  conflict between two non-state actors.

Question 8

Population size and density are not usually associated with the onset of war.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Civil wars pose a lower risk than interstate wars of relapsing into violence after being terminated.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

There is little evidence that human behavior is a direct cause of war.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Liberal international relations theory maintains that the spread of free markets reduces interstate conflict.Marxists disagree.Present both sides of this argument.Which theoretical school has the stronger case?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Liberal international relations theory maintains that the...

Question 12

Which of the following is not an internal characteristic that influences a state to go to war?

Accepted Answer

A)  Geographic location
B)  Demographic stress
C)  Cultural values
D)  Religious differences
E)  Political institution

Question 13

Established democracies are unlikely to go to war against each other.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

War is often said to be rooted in multiple sources located at various levels of analysis.Select two levels of analysis (individual, state, or global) and compare the contributions that theories at each level have made to our understanding of the causes of war.

Accepted Answer

The answer of War is often said to be rooted...

Question 15

In his famous dictum, Karl von Clausewitz noted that war

Accepted Answer

A)  is becoming a less likely way to settle disputes.
B)  is an extension of diplomacy by other means.
C)  should be the first resort for state leaders.
D)  is immoral and should be made illegal.
E)  is never fought between democracies.

Question 16

The communist theory of imperialism argues that war is a result of capitalism's need for new markets to generate capital.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Terrorism is senseless, premeditated violence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which of the following is the IR scholar who first developed the Clash of Civilizations theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Karl Marx
B)  Immanuel Wallerstein
C)  Francis Fukuyama
D)  Samuel Huntington
E)  Karl von Clausewitz

Question 19

The diversionary theory of war refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  leaders who face an internal crisis so they provoke an international crisis to divert domestic rebellion.
B)  when leaders who are losing one war start another to divert attention away from the losing conflict.
C)  international organizations who try to divert both sides in a conflict to diplomatic solutions rather than violence.
D)  insurgent groups who launch a diversionary strike to draw government forces away from their true target.
E)  None of the above is true.

Question 20

According to the power transition theory, war is most likely when there is an even distribution of power among several strong states.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 7: Patterns of Armed Conflict

Discuss how poverty, ethnic hatred and demographic pressures can lead to civil war.Discuss a case study in which at least two of these factors have led to civil war.

Failing states are those states that

Scholars identify four generations of warfare.Describe how the tactics and strategies changed for each generation.Then give an example of a specific war for each generation and show how those tactics and strategies were employed.

Discuss how xenophobia, extreme nationalism, and a glorification of male martial virtues can lead to inter-state war.Discuss a case study in which at least two of these factors have led to the outbreak of war.

One trend in contemporary warfare is the growing number of armed conflicts among states in the Global North, who have much more of a stake in winning.

Terrorism is an example of

Asymmetrical war refers to

Population size and density are not usually associated with the onset of war.

Civil wars pose a lower risk than interstate wars of relapsing into violence after being terminated.

There is little evidence that human behavior is a direct cause of war.

Liberal international relations theory maintains that the spread of free markets reduces interstate conflict.Marxists disagree.Present both sides of this argument.Which theoretical school has the stronger case?

Which of the following is not an internal characteristic that influences a state to go to war?

Established democracies are unlikely to go to war against each other.

War is often said to be rooted in multiple sources located at various levels of analysis.Select two levels of analysis (individual, state, or global) and compare the contributions that theories at each level have made to our understanding of the causes of war.

In his famous dictum, Karl von Clausewitz noted that war

The communist theory of imperialism argues that war is a result of capitalism's need for new markets to generate capital.

Terrorism is senseless, premeditated violence.

Which of the following is the IR scholar who first developed the Clash of Civilizations theory?

The diversionary theory of war refers to

According to the power transition theory, war is most likely when there is an even distribution of power among several strong states.