POL 2103 Chapter Notes - Chapter 50: Liberal Democracy, Class Conflict
5 Jan 2018
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When easy to distinguish between offensive and defensive weapons. Hard: sds much more likely (naval cruisers, fighter planes) Easy: sds much less likely (barbed wire is defensive) 2 explanations: democratic norms and liberal democratic culture (habits of negotiation/compromise with similar societies; respect for human rights, democratic political institutions/structures (institutional constraints vs. mobilizing resources for war) Marxist theory war happens because of imperialism (as a result of capitalism) Capitalist accumulation drove major capitalist countries into colonial expansion for raw materials uction (need new markets for excess goods) Over- accumulation of capital (need to export it somewhere) Once whole globe is colonized conflict between imperial powers for territory (ww1) Rise of nationalism, militaristic ideologies had prevented class loyalties, class conflict. Working class seduced by cry to rally to defence of homeland. But horrors of war would shake nationalism. Psychological processes and biases affect decision-makers, leaders when they act.
