War and International Relations: A Critical Analysis

Description

This book provides a critical overview of the occurrence of war in the international system, by examining the concept from multiple perspectives and theoretical backgrounds. War is an essential concept in international affairs, if for no other reason than because prevention of war requires a deep understanding of it as a concept. This book seeks to examine the continued occurrence of war in international relations, despite the emergence of arguments concerning its obsolescence. It provides a new cognitive framework by which to understand war as a phenomenon, which can be applied to real-world scenarios and policy issues, making use of case studies predominantly from China and Japan. Theoretically, the book is primarily based on a structural realist framework but adopts a significant constructivist component through the emphasis on identity and reputation in the international system. The volume offers a nuanced yet holistic approach to the theory of war and seeks to engage critically with the major theoretical approaches, pointing out the major criticisms of these ideas and how the theories correlate. This book will be of much interest to students of strategic studies, foreign policy and International Relations. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Illustrations 1 Introduction War: The Reports of Its Death Are Greatly Exaggerated The Importance of Theory and Modelling The Importance of Foreign Policy and Preventative Diplomacy Structure of the Book Notes Part I The Nature of War 2 The Definition of War Basic Definition The Seven Contexts of War War As An Instrument of Statecraft Different Forms of Violence in the International System: use of Force Versus Coercion Levels of Analysis: Policy, Strategy, and Tactics Notes 3 War, Identity, and Culture China: Strong Defence and Historical Victimhood Late Qing and Republican Period Cold War Period Identity and China’s Contemporary Security Posture Japan: From Militarism to Anti-Militarism The Evolution of the Samurai Class Pre-war Japan Post-war Japan Changing Identities Through War Strategic Culture Strategy to Counter Weakness: Chinese Strategic Culture Sun Tzu and Classical Chinese Strategic Culture Mao’s People’s War Local/limited War Under High Technology Conditions The Importance Understanding Chinese Strategic Thinking Notes 4 War, International Law, and Morality The 1864 Geneva Convention The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 The Covenant of the League of Nations The Charter of the United Nations War and International Law (conclusion) War and Morality Nuclear Weapons Notes Part I Conclusion: War and International Relations Issues for Further Thinking Does One Have the Responsibility to Protect Enemy Soldiers? Why Russia Is Threatened By Missile Defence Systems in eastern Europe? Is Humanitarian Intervention Justified Through Force? Part II War Doesn’t Work Chapter 5 The Self-Defeating Nature of War Classical Realism Defensive Structural Realism Economic Interdependence Conclusion Notes 6 Better Tools Available Geo-economic Statecraft Smart Power Conclusion Notes 7 Paradigm Shifts Mueller and the Obsolescence of War Wendt and the Construction of International Politics Conclusion Notes Part II conclusion: The Obsolescence of War Issues for Further Thinking There Are States That Do Not Possess Military Power. Does this Not Demonstrate That It Is Possible to... Should the United States Resort to the Use of Force to Accomplish Denuclearization in North Korea? Should One Engage in Projects With Countries That Pose a Potential Strategic Risk? Part III Reasons for Going to War 8 Systemic Explanations Balance of Power and Hegemony Hegemony Seeking The Role of Non-Great Powers The Core-Gap Thesis and Global Norms Notes 9 National Characteristics Geopolitics Defensible Natural Boundaries Strategic Territories Culture and Clash of Civilizations Democratic Peace and Authoritarian War Notes 10 Practical Considerations Escalation of Territorial Disputes Diversionary Wars Notes Part III conclusion: The Reason We Fight Issues for Further Thinking Is Underdevelopment a Security Threat? Can the Political, Cultural, and Physical Maps Be Reconciled at this Point? Are Concessions a Good Strategy to Break Escalatory Cycles? Part IV The Rational Decision to Go to War 11 Rational Choice Modelling for War Rationality in International Relations Rational Choice Model Phase 1: Understanding the Situation Phase 2: Identifying Potential Options Phase 3: Feasibility Testing Phase 4: Costs, Benefits, and Risks Phase 5: Ranking Notes 12 The Feasibility of War The Suitability of the Objective Understanding the Type of Conflict: Limited War Versus Total War The Balance of Power Notes 13 The Costs, Benefits, and Risks of War Understanding the Benefits of War Understanding the Costs of War Understanding the Risks of War Notes 14 Foreign Policy Alternatives to War and Making the Choice to Go to War Military Coercion Non-military Coercion Peaceful Settlement of Disputes Delaying The Rational Decision to Go to War Making the Choice Playing a Multi-Level Game Notes Part IV conclusion: A Tragic But Necessary Evil 15 “A” Peace Versus “our” Peace War As a Tool of Statecraft, Far From Obsolete Preventative Diplomacy On the East China Sea (case Study) China’s Rational Foreign Policy Choice Altering Calculations “A” Peace Versus “our” Peace Bibliography Index