Basic Research on War: Theoretical Need and Practical Relevance

In: Bulletin of peace proposals: to motivate research, to inspire future oriented thinking, to promote activities for peace, Volume 22, Issue 3, p. 346-352

Abstract

It is contended that insight into why & how wars come about is lacking, especially how war, as a comparably rare form of conflict regulation, is connected to conflict behavior at lower levels of intensity, eg, military disputes & international conflict in general. It is this kind of basic theoretical insight that is important for diminishing the likelihood of large-scale violence in a world of uncertainty in which change & innovation constitute permanent features of economic, social, & political life everywhere, & as a result of which the value of mere experience & of historical or inductive generalizations as guides for action have diminished. Theoretical insight makes it conceivable to create decision support systems that would enhance the conflict-preventive & managing potential of major decision-making bodies in international politics. Modified AA