3/11/2019

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
AND DIPLOMACY
Response paper – Week 8

Submitted By: Dur E Sameen Raza

BPA 2K17
This review and response paper has been compiled from two resources; the War and Peace
by Andrew Heywood and Environmental issues by John Vogler.

War and Peace by Andrew Heywood explains war as a condition of armed conflict where two
parties usually states use power and threat against each other to gain self-interests. However,
the nature of warfare has changed tremendously over the time due to technological and
military advances. War is considered as a conflict among political groups fought by military
personnel over a considerate period and is distinguished by the magnitude of the conflict and
the nature of the outcome. The deep and underlying causes of war can be explained in terms
of human nature, internal characteristics of political actors, systematic pressures to gain
power and economic factors. Karl Von Clausewitz’s classical view of war is considered to be
the most influential theory viewing war as continuation of politics to gain self-interest. The
Clausewitzian approach seems to stem from Westphalian state system, however it is
criticized for overlooking the moral consequences of war and is not applicable to the modern
day as the nature of war has changed. It is believed that over the years, use of military power
has been reduced due to increased democratic governances, globalization and
interdependency among states, and asymmetrical wars having unpredictable outcomes.
However, some argue that war is endless in its nature and on the bases of security challenges
and to protect citizens, the use of military power can not be reduced. Post Cold War era
marked the decline of inter-state war and led to the rise of civil wars, identity wars,
insurgencies, asymmetrical and guerrilla warfare. These modern wars are often fought over
identity and their changing nature has blurred the fine distinctive lines between civilians and
military. Advancement in technology has changed the war and warfare towards ‘postmodern’
warfare which has proved to be effective in times of gulf war and in kosvo but its
effectiveness is subject to interrogation in times of low scale intensity wars. The three
positions adopted in the changing nature of war and warfare are Realpolitik, Just war theory
and Pacifism. Realpolitik view war as a universal norm of human history which as a political
act does not need any moral justification. They are criticized for legitimizing war and for
making use of power for their own power politics and interests. On the other hand, the just
war theory argues that the war must be fought in order to establish peace and justice and can
only be justified on moral and ethical grounds. Modern war and warfare has outdated the just
war theory to some extent as it is difficult to distinguish between civilians and military
therefore it is impossible to avoid harming civilians. Lastly, pacifism believes that violence is
never a solution and war being an unnecessary evil can never be justified. Pacifism has
fuelled the peace and anti-war movements and has developed the notion of positive peace
leading to the formation bodies like United Nations.

John Vogler in Environmental issues highlights how environmental issues have become
increasingly evident over the past fifty years on international forums due to the growing
effects of globalization. Globalization has resulted in the relocation of industries and
population, and has led to the emergence of free trade while benefiting many poor countries.
However, it has resulted in extreme climatic changes, elevated levels of consumptions of
world’s scarce resources and emission of greenhouse gases which has disrupted local
ecologies and livelihoods across the globe. Furthermore, globalization has also increased the
transitional green politics and the role played by NGOs in raising public awareness and
influencing international conferences and agreements. Environmental issues were not of deep
concern until second world war. In post second world war era the environmental problems
expanded and acquired global dimensions which led to the three UN conferences. These
conferences and international cooperation formed the basis of transboundary regulation and
built a connection between international environmental agendas and sustainable development
goals. International action is necessary to control pollution, promote environmental norms,
develop scientific understanding, provide guidance to preserve global norms and to
encourage the participation of developing countries.

Both readings complement each other and emphasize on the importance of peace and
cooperation in the global system. Environmental issues and conflicts can be linked to develop
a basis for a peaceful world where sates sit together and agree to protect and preserve their
own environment. Anarchy and war always lead to environmental destruction and global
disorders as war and environment are highly interlinked. The nuclear weapons and fuels used
in wars lead to the depletion of scarce natural resources while the fumes and omissions of
greenhouse gases badly destroys the global ecosystem. The environmental interdependency
among states can help them take political initiatives to preserve the global commons and
refrain from destruction caused by wars.

Modern warfare along with a vast number of ecological consequences and weaknesses have
few notable strengths too. Wars can strengthen economies by selling and manufacturing
weapons and by generating more jobs. Moreover, when in competition with other states,
every country strives hard to develop latest strategies and military weapons while making the
best use of modern technology. This leads to new inventions and technological advancement.
However, modern warfare while using nuclear and chemical weapons has damaged the world
in the deadliest possible way. War while bringing in thousands of casualties of innocent
human beings is also a killer of the ecosystem. In 60’s and 70’s, to expose and take away the
shelter from Vietnam’s guerrilla fighters, America sprayed herbicides over Vietnam’s forests
which resulted in long lasting effects on the environment. Soil and sea got toxicated, animals
and plants died and the rest lost their natural habitat. Wars not only result in refugees and
poverty but also wreck landscapes and ecosystems.

Globalization has increased over all interdependency among states across the globe which has
therefore increased the chances of international cooperation in matters of war and climatic
changes. Preserving the global commons is a necessity for every state as destruction of global
ecosystem and environment is not limited to a specific country, it can and will impact the
renewable and non-renewable energy resources and climate of all the countries. Therefore, it
is very important to consider rising environmental degradation issues and revaluate them on
both scientific and political grounds.
Bibliography
Heywood, A. (n.d.). War and Peace.

Vogler, J. (n.d.). Environmental Issues.

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