Global Conflict, Global (Dis)Orders

Global Peace Index: http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi-data/#/2008/scor/

http://www.visionofhumanity.org/info-center/same-millennium-new-goals/

Armed conflict vs. order in international relations Armed conflicts arise from various causes International orders are created to prevent, resolve, or

contain conflicts Rule-bound competition between interests? Controlled conflicts?

Main models of international order: Hegemonic order Balance of power Democratic peace Network-based multipolar order

“Six clusters of threats” to peace and security in contemporary world*

1. Socioeconomic threats, including poverty infectious disease environmental degradation

2. Inter-state conflict 3. Internal conflict, including

Civil war Genocide Other large-scale atrocities------------------------

*UN Secretary General’s report “In Larger Freedom”:Report - Table of Contents ; UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel’s

report “A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility” :Report of the Secretary-General's High-level Panel

4. Proliferation and possible use of weapons of mass destruction nuclear radiological chemical biological

5. Terrorism 6. Transnational organized crime

In contemporary world, it is often hard to draw a line between international conflicts and internal conflicts within nations – there is a tendency toward globalization of conflict Internal conflicts are more likely to have international

implications International developments tend to have more rapid and

significant impact on internal situations Example: 4 levels of conflict in Afghanistan: 4 levels of conflict (Afghanistan as example):

Global – US and NATO vs. Al Qaeda and Taliban Regional – interests of neighbouring states National – Taliban vs. the Afghan Government, Pakistani

Taliban vs. the Pakistani Government Local – opium industry, arms trade, ethnic conflicts

All 4 levels are closely interconnected

The tendency toward globalization of conflict has been developing since the start of World War I in 1914

What made world wars possible: 19th century economic globalization led to growing

interconnectedness, integration of societies Struggle for power within countries acquired international

dimensions Availability of economic resources Development of military technologies The culture of war

New rationalizations of war The idea of total war

National War Memorial, Ottawa

World War I: 1914-1918

World War II: 1939-1945

The Cold War: 1946-1991

The Global War on Terror: 2001-?