The Changing Face of War

Introduction “If you want peace, understand war” Basil Lindell Hart You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you” Leon Trotsky 14,400 Wars in Human History – 3.5 Billion people have died in war – Since 1815, 559 wars have been fought Contemporary World – War is still a form of social behavior, and shows no signs of stopping – Is declining since Cold War – Less likely to take place between great powers

What is War? Modern Era of Warfare – The Industrialization of War Technology Based – used of industrial and technology based weapons and strategies Brutality form of Politics – very violent and high casualties Total War – targets are all members of the oppositions society, and mass mobilization of own society – Post-Modernity Characterized by Military Globalization – Changed the Character and scope of War » Non-State entities are become major actors Terrorism, Mercenaries, Religious, etc.. » Civil War and Insurgency are common Post-Colonial World, Underdeveloped Nations, etc…

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 Actors – Changing due to globalization Eroded the economic, political, and cultural autonomy of the state – Traditionally fought between states » Now fought and influenced by Non-governmental organizations Intergovernmental organizations Media and the Internet Paradoxical – Conflict Between two groups that cause war – Cooperation Fighting outsiders makes it easier for people to unite – Provides unity in that state, organization, etc…

Continue Organizing and Organized – “War made the state, and the state made war” States/governments were first created out of the necessity created by war – States = survival in a world full of anarchy, chaos, violence and war » Result = Central Political Units Ability to mobilize resources and population for war Post-Modernity – Modernity Rise of Nationalism and Statism Rise of Industrial and Scientific Revolutions Rise of Secular Identities – Warfare reflected the three factors of Modernity

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 – Americanization of… US technology is superior then all other nations or groups – Satellites, precision targeting, GPS, etc… RMA is led by US example – Opponents to US lack counters » Develop unconventional or asymmetric responses Guerrilla Warfare, Terrorism, Suicide Missions, etc.. Capitalize on Strengths while minimizing enemies Victory not objective, concession is objective – Information Knowledge and information important factor of RMA – How a state creates wealth dictates how it creates war Information Economy is dominate today – Age of Information = information is the bases of wealth creation

Post-Modern War War is a Reflection of Age – Contemporary War reflects Post-Modernity Global Society moving to past Modern Age – All aspects of globalization impact all aspects of war – Economic, Cultural, Social, and Political Change » Shift from Industrial/Production Society to Information Society Redefines “State” and “Nationalism” Globalization = less state sovereignty, autonym and identity Increase in non state identities; religion, ethnicities, etc… Media in War – Shapes or Constructs perceptions of war – Makes war transparent – Journalist no longer observers, but take active roles – Media Age = Age of Information

Continue – Outsourcing the War Contract out key services to private corporations – Privatized Military Firms (PMF) » Mainly Logistical and Security Services Growing in size and number reflects trend of privatizing public assists – Virtual War Using technologies to conduct and execute war – Casualties (soldiers and civilian) erode public support » War is not virtual for the people living in the warzone » Protects lives of soldiers – Small Scale War Regional and less casualties – Less sophisticated = non-industrial – Based in post-colonial or third-world Post modern wars = Post Heroic Wars – Extremely Brutal and fought without restraint – Based on Ethnic Rivalry/Hatred » Degenerate Wars = genocidal total wars

New War Defined “Contradictory process involving both integration and fragmentation, homogenization and diversification, globalization and localization” Conflicts based around disintegration of states and subsequent struggles for control of state by opposing groups who project their own sense of national identity Globalization – Conflicts are internal 95% of conflicts last decade take place within a state – Internal Economic Performance is poor or collapsing, causing decline in government and corruption » Political legitimacy diminishing giving rise to opposition Internal conflicts do not mobilize populations as much as external conflicts Very difficult to counter or prevent – Impacts are External All conflicts impact the international system – Failed States disrupt stability and International Political Economy

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