The Changing Face of War

Introduction

What is War?

Consistent Character of War• Fundamental nature of war is unchangeable– Character and form my change with time

• Change in Technology– Pre-industrial to industrial weapons– Industrial weapons to computer/microchip based weapons– Use of globalization technologies – Becoming easily available

• Change in Strategy– Military targets only to civilian targets

• Change in Threat – State warfare to war on terror

• Birth of Global Media – Localized conflict to Global conflict

– Nature of war could not • Brutal from of politics • Social constructed by large-group behavior

– Influenced by political and cultural environments

Defining War • Difficult to define– Post-Modernity of Warfare • Scope and scale of war is now very large, attempts to

define lead to problems – Most definitions contradict one other – Most are very general or vague – Most definitions would make violent crime or gang activity

warfare

• Why is this a problem? – A common internationally accepted definition is

needed• Provides a base for action and debate • Allows distinction between violence, gang activity, etc…

and war

Nature of War • Violence – All war contains violence, but not all violence is

considered warfare • Form of organized human violence

– For political Gain » Usually a means to an end

• Social and Political Behavior – Form of Politics• Reflects culture and society of state

– Political nature of war is changing because of globalization » Globalization is changing culture and society

Continue

Continue

Continue • Historical Change – War is a major force in creating change• Want of Change = Catalyst for War• War = Tool to create change

– Political in Nature • War = Pursuit of political goals

Revolution in Military Affairs • Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA)– Those who possess the greatest technology and

doctrine will be victors in war • Change the study of warfare • RMA as a field of study still developing and debated

– Adoption• States will have to adopt modern technologies and tactics to

be competitive in warfare – Only a few states have had an RMA

– Proponents• Change in speed, precision, and selective destruction of war

will create change in military/political affairs • Limit the casualties and destruction of war

– Smart Weapons » RMA still violent and creates large scale civilian casualties

and human suffering

Continue

Post-Modern War

Continue

New War

Continue • Identity – Globalization creates pressures on identity • Break down of traditional groups based on classes and

ideologies • Creates greater emphasis on identity and culture

– Cause of most modern wars

• Gender and Age– Feminization of War• Women playing greater role in combat

– Child Soldiers • Children forced into military roles • Fight in ¾ of current wars

Continue • Post-Westphalian War

– Westphalian War• Followed statism and norms

– Conducted between states – Well trained armies, peace treaties, neutrality laws, etc…

– Post-Westphalian War• Fought by militias, paramilitaries, warlords, criminal gangs, private

security firms, and tribal groupings• Norms and rules of war are neglected

• Poverty and Underdevelopment – Causes of most New Wars

• Peace correlates to Security • Less economic security = less peace

– Unemployment due to decentralized economies » Recruits seek incomes

– Greater willingness and need to ensure economic stability • Globalization creates both economic stability and instability • Terrorism and Intervention are both consequences of instability