PSCI281 Lecture Notes - Group Dynamics, Spiral Model, Security Dilemma
Document Summary
Referent object: the thing that is to be secured. Hegemonic war: a bipolar world is most unstable because when two powers have similar levels of power, one is most likely to challenge the other for hegemony. Spiral model: a state is never sure of another state"s intentions. Thus, they must prepare for war even though they prefer peace. This is the security dilemma it causes the spiral model of conflict because each state is disposed to arm itself more heavily than its neighbours. Groupthink: the tendency for group dynamics to lead small groups to consensus. May be caused by a desire to follow the leader, be seen as part of the in-crowd, or the tendency to settle on the first plausible solution to a problem. Guerrilla war: a form of peoples war characterized by small units fighting using tactics of constant movement; reliant on the local population for support. Generally used to harass larger forces of the enemy.