DMS Lecture 1

8/3/2019 DMS Lecture 1

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Dimensions of Modern Strategy

IR-505

Syed Muhammad Ali

Department of International RelationsNDU

2011


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Objectives

This is a Core IR Course which is aimed at

introducing the students of International Relations

to the basic conceptual framework of strategy and

its relationship and significance for statecraft.

This will be followed by a brief exposure to selected

Classical works on strategic thought, its theoreticaland practical aspects and finally understanding its

various modern and evolving dimensions.


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Requirement

The Students are expected to not only develop

an understanding of the relationship between

statecraft, national interests, policy and the

diverse range of available and possible

strategic means to pursue them but also to

critically appreciate the relationship between

politics and the use of both soft and hardpower.


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Teaching Methodology

The students are encouraged to consult a variety of

contemporary and classical texts and develop an

understanding of the modern strategic issues by actively

engaging in academic debates in the form of Classparticipation, presentations, group Discussions and by

also writing book reviews of relevant and credible

literary works on strategic affairs and issues.


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Course Structure

The Course is structured into the following six thematic

sections (2-3 weeks each):

1.Strategy: Theoretical & Conceptual Framework 2.Introduction & Interpretation of Classics

3.Conventional Strategy and Evolution of Joint-Warfare

4.Contemporary Approaches to Strategic Affairs

5.Issues affecting Grand Strategy

6.Future of Strategy & Warfare


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Assessment Criteria

Surprise test/Quiz: 10 Marks

Book Review + Presentation: 20 Marks

Mid-Term Written Exam: 20 Marks Class Participation + Group Discussion:

10 Marks

Final Written Exam: 90 Marks

Total marks: 150 Marks


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Man, State and War

by

Kenneth N. Waltz


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Concept of Victory


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War: Relationship between Means & Ends?

Are victory and defeat mutually exclusive

Concepts?

Is total victory possible in 20th century

warfare?

Is war more avoidable today than before?

Is the relationship between means and endsmore proportionate today than before?


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Relationship between Past & Present

Frequency of wars

Are wars increasing or decreasing?

Destructiveness of wars

Are Wars becoming more destructive than

before?

Justness of Wars

Are Wars more just today than before?


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Top Ten Most Destructive Wars

60,000,00072,000,000 - World War II (19391945)

36,000,000 - An Shi Rebellion (China, 755763)

30,000,00060,000,000 - Mongol Conquests (13th century)

25,000,000 - Qing dynasty conquest of Ming dynasty

(16161662) 20,000,000 - World War I (19141918)

20,000,000 - Taiping Rebellion (China, 18501864)

20,000,000 - Second Sino-Japanese War (19371945)

10,000,000 - Warring States Era (China, 475 BC221 BC) 8,000,00012,000,000 - Dungan revolt (China, 18621877)

7,000,000 - 20,000,000 - Conquests of Tamerlane (13701405)


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Is Peace less desired today than before?

Are there ways not yet tried to achieve peace

today?

What is the relationship between leadership

and peace?

Is it an issue of will or capability?


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What are the causes of War?

Are they different today than before?

How & Why?


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If we are all equally good or bad then why

the Holier than thou attitude towards

others? Why disease, exploitation, injustice, hatred, theft,

murder are constants in human history in allreligions, races, nations and parts of the world?

Is war simply mass male violence?

Means and ends: What is their relationship?

Nature or nurture?


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Economic & Political dimensions of

Warfare

Clausewitz: Is war a means for the political elite to pursue theirends?

What is peace? Is it the acceptance of exploitation of the poor andpowerless by the elite both at inter-state and intra state levels?

Is peace the acceptance of defeat by the weak at the hands of themighty?

Is war a violent pursuit of justice by the weak to change the statusquo?

What is Human nature? Rousseaus argument


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Significance of Fear & authority in War and

Peace

Relationship between fear and peace

Relationship between authority and peace

Relationship between actors (individuals) andstructures (institutions) and consequences for

War and peace

Relationship between State and theinternational system


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International conflicts

Revisit Nature or Nurture debate

States and Bad States model (Plato & Kant and

Liberal School of thought)

Systemic Characteristics (Marxism, Rousseau)

A Behaviour designed more to stay out of

harms way itself rather than to harm others(e.g; doctrine of prevention)

A question of Trust/Faith: A natural trait?


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What is better for World peace : one

power or many?

What is the Relationship between internal and

international peace?

Is the balance or power a necessary lesser evil

as compared to a centralist authoritarian world

international government

(e.g; rule of a single super power or a single

world organization like UN etc?

Negotiation or Compromise?


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Approaches towards World Peace

Internal: Improving State systems &

Structures (Liberal approach)

External: Improving its relations with other

states by resolving conflicts. (Realist

Approach: Machiavelli, Hobbes and Rousseau

etc)


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Wilsonian approach: Does War depend

upon the type of government?

Good states (democratic)

Bad States (Authoritarian) Neutral States (Interest based uncertainty.)

(E.g; Napoleonic wars and World Wars

experience)


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Democracies dont go to wars: Liberal

School of Thought?

Can a government controlled by its people be preventedfrom taking the state to war?

Is it true that some states go to wars and others dont?

Can a peaceful form of state be created? Will globalization promote peace or conflict? (e.g;

Eisenhowers argument)

Significance of perception, hatred, knowledge about

others for peace and conflict (e.g; class ridden society,education system etc.)

What is better for peace: Uniformity or diversity?

Documents

DMS Lecture 1