War: Reasons and Theories
War is a business, a gamble, a large game of chess. Two conditions are considered before either party involved go into war. Costs of any war can’t be too high for decision makers. Benefits, such as resources, power, glory, and territory must surpass expenses expected of damages, including loss of property and life. A failure in some type of bargaining deal can also begin a war, from an inability to reach mutual compensations and an agreement that can be enforced. Whether peace can continue or long lasting conflict can depend on these two terms. The end will only be in sight if one side becomes the victor, or the situation has changed, making costs incredibly high for both sides.
Religion
War between two states led by people of different religions, or theocracies, go into war with a purpose: growing in numbers for one religion, or wiping out another. Bargaining doesn’t come into play here, as no agreement will normally appease the aggressor. Officials from each side usually claim to be acting under the instruction of a higher power or religious intent. This leader is acting as a channel through with this higher being caries out their purpose. Point being, these “ordained directions” cannot be bargained with.
Revenge/Ethnic Cleansing
This type of conflict is one that has no rational explanation backing it. These non-rational wars are driven by an emotional reaction, actions motivated by anger for past actions of the other party involved. However, these wars are extremely rare.
Very much related to, though more extreme than religious wars, ethnic cleansing or mass killings are goaled to eliminate another ethnic group or minority in order to come out on top in a social scale. This can be caused by the insanity of a leader or group within government (ex. Hitler and the Holocaust). The fear from the opponent of this irrationality can also be motivated to attack rationally (ex. England response by entering WWII).
Very much related to, though more extreme than religious wars, ethnic cleansing or mass killings are goaled to eliminate another ethnic group or minority in order to come out on top in a social scale. This can be caused by the insanity of a leader or group within government (ex. Hitler and the Holocaust). The fear from the opponent of this irrationality can also be motivated to attack rationally (ex. England response by entering WWII).
Preventive War
When a country thinks another country will get stronger, they fear the playing field will become uneven. So the thought process being is if they attack now, they will prevent being attacked in the future. This is also true if a country has the upper hand in the moment with arms and believes over time, balance will be unstable; so they decide to attack now while the power is in their favor.
Duration of Wars
Looking at the long haul in war, different kinds of scenarios will lead to different outcomes depending on the conditions of the war itself. Though it takes a while, a peace agreement can be reached with power is shifted and both sides have interest in ending the conflict. Once strengths of each country are identified, a peace bargain will commence and reach an agreement as soon as possible. Certain factors when it comes to ending war decide on winning outcomes:
- Costs of staying in the conflict
- Patience
- Level of uncertainty
Uncertainty can arise from the value of one winning, the costs of the conflict, or patience. Eventually, two sides will generate losses and costs at the same rate of time as long as they continue to fight. It will eventually come down to one of the two sides giving up and the other wining.
- Costs of staying in the conflict
- Patience
- Level of uncertainty
Uncertainty can arise from the value of one winning, the costs of the conflict, or patience. Eventually, two sides will generate losses and costs at the same rate of time as long as they continue to fight. It will eventually come down to one of the two sides giving up and the other wining.
For more information:
Jackson, Mathew , and Massimo Morelli. "The Reasons for War - an Updated Survey." Handbook on the Political Economy of War 1 (2009): 2-26. Print.
War in 2014: Syrian Intervention by the United States
Klare, Michael . "Why the Push for Syrian Intervention Is About More Than Just Assad | The Nation." Why the Push for Syrian Intervention Is About More Than Just Assad | The Nation. The Nation, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.thenation.com/article/176100/why-push-syrian-intervention-about-more-just-assad#>.
Jackson, Mathew , and Massimo Morelli. "The Reasons for War - an Updated Survey." Handbook on the Political Economy of War 1 (2009): 2-26. Print.
War in 2014: Syrian Intervention by the United States
Klare, Michael . "Why the Push for Syrian Intervention Is About More Than Just Assad | The Nation." Why the Push for Syrian Intervention Is About More Than Just Assad | The Nation. The Nation, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.thenation.com/article/176100/why-push-syrian-intervention-about-more-just-assad#>.