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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict

Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

 

Failure to Understand the Relationship Between Offensive and Defensive Uses of Force


The problems and treatment strategies associated with the use of force vary depending upon a party's perspective. When people are using force offensively they think about it differently that when they are using it defensively. It is, therefore important to consider problems associated with the use of force from both offensive and defensive perspectives.

Offensive uses of force occur when people seek to advance their interests by forcing others to do what they want. When viewed from this perspective, the parties are primarily interested in ways of overcoming problems which undermine the effectiveness of force. Their goal is to make inexpensive threats which quickly force their opponent to submit to their demands.

Force-based strategies are very different when viewed from the defensive perspective. In this situation people want to know how they can resist threats made by others. Here they are likely to be interested in strategies such as: defense, deterrence, defiance (bluff calling), counter-threat (which run the risk of an arms race), flight, and subversion (in which they pretend to submit while actually resisting). They also want to know whether or not they have the power to make any of these resistance strategies actually work.

In practice most people are simultaneously involved in both offensive and defensive strategies.

Links to Related Problems and Treatments:

This section focuses upon a key concept. Once the concept is understood and factored into the conflict decision-making process, the problem largely disappears. Since this write-up contains a full definition of the concept and its application. We felt that a separate treatment section was unneeded and has, therefore, not been included.

Submission
Subversion
Defiance
Defense
Coalition Building
Deterrence, Counter-Threats (and Arms Races)
Flight (Refugees)

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