war end of history? no wars fought between democratic countries (in 20th century) nor (since wwii)...
TRANSCRIPT
war
End of History?
• no wars fought between democratic countries (in 20th century)
• nor (since WWII) between wealthy countries--a few exceptions
So who is still fighting?
• Most wars of the past 50 years are:
• fought in poor countries
• civil wars• possibly with foreign involvement
• ill-defined forces• para-militaries, children, abductees
• high civilian casualties
Recent factors behind decline in conflicts
• End of most colonial wars of independence
• End of Cold War
• Rising incomes, especially Asia
• Greater peace-keeping and peace-making by international forces
But down the road . . .
• Increasing tensions with religious fundamentalism
• Intractable poverty
• Conflicts over shortages of oil, water, and other resources
• The unpredictable
UN forces
• UN chapter 7 authorized forces--Korea, First Iraq War, etc
• “Blue Helmets”--UN peacekeepers• more than 60 missions, growing
International Forces--NATO
• formed 1949--US dominant
• mutual defense clause
• reinvented after 1991, eventually expanded
• first use: 1994 ending war in Bosnia
• 1999 more extensive use against Serbia, protecting Kosovo
• 2003 takes over security role from Germany in Afghanistan
Arms trade
The Arms market
• Small arms—total of 1 gun for every 10 people on earth