Intra-State Conflict, Governments and Security: Dilemmas of Deterrence and Assurance (Contemporary Security Studies)

This volume seeks to understand the central role of governments in intra-state conflicts. The book explores how the government in any society plays two pivotal roles: as a deterrent against those who would use violence; and as a potential danger to the society. These roles come into conflict with each other, as those governments that can best deter potential rebels are also those that can do the most harm to their citizens. Therefore, a balance must be achieved, raising difficult tradeoffs for policy-makers. This volume marks a departure from studies of ethnic conflict and civil war in recent years, which have focused on failed states, in considering the idea that governments themselves may be the source of violence. The contributors not only explore the balancing act that governments must perform, but also on the positive and negative roles that the international community can play in these conflicts. In doing so, the book covers a range of cases from both advanced and newer democracies to the most conflict-prone parts of the world.

this Volume Seeks To Understand The Central Role Of Governments In Intra-state Conflicts.

the Book Explores How The Government In Any Society Plays Two Pivotal Roles: As A Deterrent Against Those Who Would Use Violence; And As A Potential Danger To The Society. These Roles Come Into Conflict With Each Other, As Those Governments That Can Best Deter Potential Rebels Are Also Those That Can Do The Most Harm To Their Citizens. Therefore, A Balance Must Be Achieved, Raising Difficult Tradeoffs For Policy-makers. This Volume Marks A Departure From Studies Of Ethnic Conflict And Civil War In Recent Years, Which Have Focused On Failed States, In Considering The Idea That Governments Themselves May Be The Source Of Violence. The Contributors Not Only Explore The Balancing Act That Governments Must Perform, But Also On The Positive And Negative Roles That The International Community Can Play In These Conflicts. In Doing So, The Book Covers A Range Of Cases From Both Advanced And Newer Democracies To The Most Conflict-prone Parts Of The World.

Social Sciences Book Cover 1 Title 8 Copyright 9 Contents 10 Illustrations 12 Contributors 14 Acknowledgments 19 1 Causing security, reducing fear: Deterring intra-state violence and assuring government restraint 22 2 Fear, preemption, retaliation: An empirical test of the security dilemma 41 3 Six feet over: Internal war, battle deaths and the influence of the living on the dead 54 4 Inequality, indivisibility and insecurity 75 5 Rulers as mass murderers: Political institutions and human insecurity 93 6 Resentment, fear, and the structure of the military in multiethnic states 117 7 Violence as politics: ETA and Basque nationalism 141 8 Africa’s power sharing institutions as a response to insecurity: Assurance without deterrence 159 9 The “chicken or the egg”?: External support and rebellion in ethnopolitics 182 10 Tackling the anarchy within: The role of deterrence and great power intervention in peace operations 203 11 Conclusion: Dilemmas of insecurity: implications for research and policy 226 References 243 Index 266 This volume seeks to understand the central role of governments in intra-state conflicts, exploring how the government in any society plays two pivotal roles: as a deterrent against those who would use violence and as a potential danger to the society.