Manifestations of conflict including non-violence
In these lessons we are going to look at the different forms that conflict can take. It is probably helpful to consider the IB Levels of Analysis hierarchy here in order for us to group different forms of conflict and where they are most likely to occur.
Levels of Analysis
Global
In the context of the global politics course, the term global refers to events and trends that have far-reaching and long-term impact across the world, cutting across national identities and interests. Examples include, but are not limited to, climate change, migration, terrorism, epidemics, etc.
International
In the context of the global politics course, the term international refers to events and trends that have a narrower impact than global events and trends, but nonetheless have implications for several countries. Examples include, but are not limited to, the operation of various international organizations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), multinational corporations (MNCs), international law, etc.
Regional
In the context of the global politics course, the term regional refers to events and trends that have implications limited to a particular geographic region, such as the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, etc. Examples include, but are not limited to, the operation of the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), The Arab League, etc.
National
In the context of the global politics course, the term national refers to events and trends that have a limited impact within the geographical boundaries of a particular country. Examples include, but are not limited to, economic crises or economic change in a particular state, political and legal reforms in a particular state, changes in the governance of a particular state, etc.
Local
In the context of the global politics course, the term local is used to refer to the geographic area in which social organization is created and in which culture is transmitted from one generation to the next. Local is defined by its inhabitants and their practices, and so can represent a geographic space as small as a gated community or as large as a city or region.
Community
The idea of community is one of the most debated concepts in the social sciences. Communities were once thought of as geographically based groups of people with similar interests, mutual support and cultural traits. The most commonly held view was that communities must include not only spatial and ecological definitions, but institutional and emotional ones. Recently, however, processes of globalisation have led social scientists to rethink standard definitions. Advances in communication technologies allow similar interests to be nurtured beyond physical boundaries, and the definition of community has become intertwined with debates about globalization and the role and place of people within it.
Make a list of the all the different forms of conflict that you can think of, that is what conflict looks like and then try and think about which of the different level of analysis it belongs to. Some may overlap or be applicable to all.
Demonstrations and Protests
We are now going to look at two very different protests. The first is the known as 'the Battle for Seattle' and occurred in 1999. The second was the 'Occupy' protests that took place during the GFC. As we are watching these note what you think the differing tactics are between the two protests. What do you think the aims are? Which do you think is more effective and why?
The Philosophy of Nonviolent Conflict Resolution
There is a long history for the advocation of nonviolence in the resolution of conflict. Roughly speaking we can see a line for Jesus Christ, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr through to Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi. Let's watch a short video that talks about some of the principles of nonviolent protest.
Nuclear Deterrence
Are nuclear weapons an effective deterrence against war? Do nuclear weapons, despite their destructive power actually make the world a more peaceful and safer place? These are difficult questions to answer, not least of all because of the immorality of the widespread, indiscriminate destruction these weapons confer on individuals and indeed states.
Robert Oppenheimer, the man responsible for the Manhattan Project, became a strong advocate of proliferation as believed that this would ensure that the costs of using these weapons would be so high. His views saw him accused as a traitor and put on trial.
During the cold war the threat of nuclear annihilation found form in security policy of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). This was thought to have kept the USA and the USSR from engaging in a direct confrontation with their conventional forces.
In other instances we can ask other questions about the deterrence of nuclear weapons. Have they kept Israel safe from direct military attack by neighbouring states. Israel has not faced a major attack from within its region since 1974.
Has the possession of nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan limited both states appetite for conflict over Kashmir?
Does nuclear deterrence mean that the US and China are less likely to engage in direct conflict over the South China Seas?
The Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty
The NPT is the major international instrument that is used to restrict and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons. Introduced in the earlier 1970s it seeks to exchange nuclear weapons for the peaceful use of nuclear energy production.
Depending on the position one takes, it can be argued that the NPT has been instrumental in containing and reducing the proliferation of nuclear weapons; or, conversely it has failed to eradicate nuclear weapons and the franchise of NWS has increased.