CAS IR 271 Chapter 8: The Diplomacy of Violence (ERWP)
24 Jan 2017
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It seeks outcomes that, though not ideal for either party, are better for both than some of the alternatives. Military power can be used to hurt. In addition to taking and protecting things of value, it can destroy value. It is the threat of damage, or of more damage to come, that can make someone yield or comply. It is latent violence that can influence someone"s choice: coercion by threat of damage, also requires that our interests and our opponent"s not be absolutely opposed. Coercion requires finding a bargain, arranging for him to be better off doing what we want worse off not doing what we want when he takes the threatened penalty into account: brute force vs. Hunting down comanches and to exterminate them was brute force; to raid their villages to make them behave was coercive diplomacy, based on the power to hurt. Successful threats are those that do not have to be carried out.
