War as a Technique of International Conflict Resolution – An Analytical Approach

Abstract

This paper considers the role of armed conflict, and attitudes to the study of armed conflict, in an evaluation of international conflict resolution. Its primary method is an investigation of the literature and consideration of analytical approaches adopted by International Conflict Resolution Research. We demonstrate that armed conflict is a major tool used by countries, with a high degree of effectiveness. We adopt a primarily theoretical, realist approach to analysis of the field. Our findings and conclusions are that the exclusion of armed conflict from the analysis of international conflict resolution methods is not justified conceptually and leads to a warped analysis of party behaviours in conflict situations. We consider this as a substantial finding, which questions long-standing assumptions in the field. Our conclusions could have dramatic practical implications, in the form of changed approaches to analysis of conflict resolution, with better guidance to researchers and conflict resolution practitioners alike.