[POLSCI 3Q03] - Final Exam Guide - Comprehensive Notes for the exam (91 pages long!)
29 Nov 2016
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People say wars are much different than they once were. Main belief is that violence and war are on the decline: this is a minority thought. Pinker"s explanation goes far back, to the beginning of time, to explain his reasoning. Believes societies are more peaceful than they have been in the past. The decline is not an absolute straight line, there are blips along the line: pinker recognizes that war has become more deadly, another blip is that interstate is on decline as well as intrastate. 1940"s 1960"s there is an increase, caused by decolonization, and stoked by cold war powers. Left states needing to defend their power against insurgence. Hobb"s belief is life without government and authority is nasty, short and brutish. Kant"s belief is that perpetual peace is possible but democracy is needed as well as community and trade. Pinker says human nature is not changing, inclination and motivation doesn"t change: external forces historical circumstances favour peaceful inclination.
