Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Guide, 11e James M. Henslin Chapter 14 War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power
Jan 12, 2016
Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Guide, 11e James M. Henslin
Chapter 14War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power
CHAPTER 14
War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power
Learning Objectives
14.1 Explain why war is common and know the essential conditions of war and the fuels of war.
14.2 Describe how extensive war has been and currently is.
14.3 Discuss the perspectives that emerge when you apply symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory to war.
14.4 Summarize what reduces war, the costs of war, dehumanization, the military-industrial complex, accidental war, and biological, chemical, and cyber warfare.
14.5 Discuss terrorism: revolutionary, repressive, state-sponsored, and criminal, as well as weapons of mass destruction.
14.6 Summarize social policies regarding terrorism, the MAD way to peace, policies that can bring peace, and how self-preservation figures in the survival of humanity.
14.7 Discuss the likely future of war and terrorism.
14.1 - The Problem in Sociological Perspective
• Why Is War Common? • Why Do Some Groups Choose War?
Fear of nuclear attack was rampant in the 1950s and 1960s. Teachers taught their children to hide under desks, while others built bomb shelters in their back yards. The school photo is from 1952 in New Jersey, the bomb shelter from 1961 in California.
Why Is War Common?
• An Instinct to Fight? • The Sociological Answer: Societies
Channel Aggression
As discussed in this box, the Yanomamö are a violent people. Shown here is a Yanomamö man in a non-violent activity. Ebene, a hallucinogenic drug, is being blown into his nose.
Why Do Some Groups Choose War? • Three Essential Conditions of War
1. Cultural tradition
2. Antagonistic situation
3. Moving to engagement• Seven “Sparks” That Set Off War
– Sociologists found seven common sparks igniting war in history
LO 14.1
In trying to understand war, sociologists look at __________ .
A: cultural norms
B: human instinct
C: urban blight
D: individual tendencies
In trying to understand war, sociologists look at __________ .
A: cultural norms
B: human instinct
C: urban blight
D: individual tendencies
There are common “sparks” of war throughout history.
A: True
B: False
There are common “sparks” of war throughout history.
A: True
B: False
14.2 – The Scope of the Problem
• War in the History of the West • Measuring War in Terms of Deaths
War in the History of the West
• U.S. is one of the most aggressive nations in the world. – From 1850-1980, we sent troops out 150
times.
• Not currently “at war”– We “intervene”
Measuring War in Terms of Deaths
• Our Growing Capacity to Kill – The effect of technology
• The Slaughter Continues – Education and history has not changed us
LO 14.2
Rather than going to war, the U.S. __________ other countries.
A: “collaborates” with
B: attacks
C: “intervenes” in
D: learns from
Rather than going to war, the U.S. __________ other countries.
A: “collaborates” with
B: attacks
C: “intervenes” in
D: learns from
The U.S. has fought over 300 wars in its short history.
A: True
B: False
The U.S. has fought over 300 wars in its short history.
A: True
B: False
14.3 - Looking at the Problem Theoretically
• Symbolic Interactionism• Functionalism• Conflict Theory
Symbolic Interactionism
• Perceptions and the Arms Race– Guessing intentions led to more weapons
• Perceptions and the “First Strike
Functionalism
• The Functions of War– Extension of Territory – Economic Gain – Social Integration – Social Change – Other Functions – Multiple Functions – Functions for the Victors – Functions for the Losers – Functions for Individuals – Dysfunctions of War
The functions of the form of hostility, conquest, and killing called war are discussed in the text. This painting is of one of the numerous sea battles between the European powers in the 1500s.
What dysfunctions of war can you identify in this photo from Somalia?
Conflict Theory
• Three Reasons Nations Go to War:1. Resources
2. Expansion of Markets
3. A Military Machine
• The Military Machine, the Power Elite, and the Globalization of Capitalism
LO 14.3
Symbolic interactionists stress the importance of __________ in going to war.
A: facts
B: conflict
C: functions
D: perceptions
Symbolic interactionists stress the importance of __________ in going to war.
A: facts
B: conflict
C: functions
D: perceptions
The United States military has one and a half million personnel on active duty and another million or so in reserve.
A: True
B: False
The United States military has one and a half million personnel on active duty and another million or so in reserve.
A: True
B: False
14.4 – Research Findings
• What Reduces War? • Money Spent on War • Deaths From War • Dehumanization in War • The Military–Industrial Complex • The Possibility of Accidental War • Biological and Chemical Warfare • Cyber Warfare
MORTEN ENDER, professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, does research on war, peace, and the military. In this essay, he discusses how he became interested in doing research on the military and his research experiences in Iraq. Here is what he wrote for you.
What Reduces War?
1. Type of religion does not reduce warfare.
2. Type of government does not reduce warfare.
3. Prosperity does not reduce warfare.
4. A shared religion does not reduce warfare between nations.
5. A common language does not reduce warfare.
6. More education does not reduce warfare.
7. Being “neighbors” does not reduce warfare.
Money Spent on War
• The Cold Numbers – $1.5 trillion a year arming
• What Is a Billion? • Lost Alternative Purchases
– What else could we buy? • But What Choice Is There?
Deaths From War
• In the 1700s, wars were small.– Waged on fields of honor
• Today, no lives are spared in war.– Expensive, involves civilians– No longer “pageantry”
Dehumanization in War
Characteristics of Dehumanization1. Increased emotional distance
2. Emphasis on following orders
3. Inability to resist pressures
4. Diminished personal responsibility
Examples of dehumanization:5. Prolonged conflicts
6. Nazis and Japanese
7. U.S.
The extent to which dehumanization can alienate us from ordinary human feelings is incredible. To measure the effects of compression and decompression, German doctors placed this inmate of a concentration camp in a pressure chamber. As the doctors manipulated the air pressure, they observed and photographed the man’s death.
Children often bear the scars of war. These children are fleeing flaming napalm that was intended to root out Viet Cong. The photo was taken in 1972 in Trang Bang, Vietnam.
The Military–Industrial Complex
• The Military as an Economic Force– Billions of dollars go to people who produce
armaments. • The Business of Death • A Glimmer of Hope
– Nuclear disarmament
The Possibility of Accidental War
• Computer Failure• Human Error • Nuclear Accidents• Nuclear Sabotage • Nature• The Significance of Symbolic Interaction
Biological and Chemical Warfare
• Biological and Chemical Agents in War• The Treaty with a Giant Flaw • Continued Research and Production
The human costs of war far outnumber the
soldiers who are killed and maimed. Shown
here is a victim of Agent Orange, a
defoliant used by U.S. troops in Vietnam to
clear the forests to disrupt the movement of
troops and supplies from the north. Birth
defects, especially the absence of vital
organs (brains, eyes, kidneys, and so on),
were a major factor in terminating the
massive use of chemical defoliants during
this war.
LO 14.4
For soldiers to kill others during war, a certain amount of _________ must be done.
A: deforestation
B: dehumanization
C: assimilation
D: integration
For soldiers to kill others during war, a certain amount of _________ must be done.
A: deforestation
B: dehumanization
C: assimilation
D: integration
Billions of dollars go to people who produce armaments.
A: True
B: False
Billions of dollars go to people who produce armaments.
A: True
B: False
14.5 – Research Findings: Terrorism
• Revolutionary Terrorism • Repressive Terrorism • State-Sponsored Terrorism • Criminal Terrorism • Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)
Video: NYC Terrorist Plot
http://abavtooldev.pearsoncmg.com/sbx_videoplayer_v2/simpleviewer.php?projectID=APcontent&clipID=nyc_terrorist_plot.flv&ui=2
Revolutionary Terrorism
• Background Factors1. Segregated minority
2. Oppression
3. Higher-than-average unemployment or inflation
4. External encouragement
5. Historical “them”
6. Frustrated elites
• Political Theater and the Goals of Revolutionary Terrorism
• A Sense of Morality
A boy with a toy? No, a soldier with a real rifle shopping in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Why are there such violent feelings against the United States, when most Americans feel
they are trying to help? This photo was taken in Karachi, Pakistan.
Repressive Terrorism
• Argentina • Cambodia • Russia
During its bloody rule of Cambodia from 1975 to
1979, Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge murdered between
1 and 2 million people. To save ammunition, they
used hammers and axe handles to break the
skulls. From the skull that this girl in Phnom
Penh, Cambodia, is playing with, you can see the
victim’s death blow.
State-Sponsored Terrorism
• Colonel Muammar Gadhafi of Libya viewed terrorism as a legitimate extension of the state.
Criminal Terrorism
• Russian Mafias
• Narcoterrorism– Drug dealing finances the revolution
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDS)
• Nuclear Terrorism – Dirty bombs
• Biological Terrorism
As in this scene in Connecticut, to prepare for what many fear will
come, Homeland Security is holding mock terrorist drills in major
cities across the nation.
LO 14.5
Terrorists attempting to overthrow the government because their grievances were ignored are _________ terrorists.
A: criminal
B: revolutionary
C: state-sponsored
D: repressive
Terrorists attempting to overthrow the government because their grievances were ignored are _________ terrorists.
A: criminal
B: revolutionary
C: state-sponsored
D: repressive
Biological weapons are not a serious threat because of vaccinations.
A: True
B: False
Biological weapons are not a serious threat because of vaccinations.
A: True
B: False
14.6 – Social Policy
• Terrorism • Nuclear Threats as a Path to Peace • Potential Policies for Peace • Survival as a Mutual Benefit
Terrorism
• The Overarching Principle• Policies • Preemptive Strikes• Targeted Killings
Explore: War and Terrorism: The War on Terror and Those Who Fight It
http://www.socialexplorer.com/SpiceMap/?v=2c27d6c704ba475f
Nuclear Threats as a Path to Peace
• A MAD Way to Peace – Mutual assured destruction
• A New Precarious Balance of Power– New World Order
Potential Policies for Peace
• Disarmament• Interlocking Networks • International Law
Survival as a Mutual Benefit
• What will prevent annihilation is probably the desire to survive.
LO 14.6
Perhaps the way to world peace is relying on the desire for _________.
A: destruction
B: wealth
C: collaboration
D: survival
Perhaps the way to world peace is relying on the desire for _________.
A: destruction
B: wealth
C: collaboration
D: survival
The “peace” treaty between the U.S. and Russia is based on an understanding of destruction.
A: True
B: False
The “peace” treaty between the U.S. and Russia is based on an understanding of destruction.
A: True
B: False
14.7 – The Future of the Problem
• Arms Sales, War, and Terrorism • Terrorism
Arms Sales, War, and Terrorism
• War and Terrorism Fueled by Profits• Why Poor Nations Spend So Much on
Weapons
Terrorism
• Revolutionary Terrorism– Obtain more destructive weapons
• Repressive Terrorism– Demands for democracy will be met with
resistance from totalitarian leaders• State-sponsored Terrorism
– Decrease from investigative techniques• Russia
– People have rights and freedoms
Want to buy a tank? Missles? War planes? You can—if you are a member of some country’s elite that
the United States wants to keep in power. This photo of a U.S. MIA25 SEP Abrams battle tank for sale
was taken in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
It is likely that one of the challenges of the “muddle-through” society will
be preventing, and in some instances adjusting to terroristic attacks,
such as the bombings at the Boston
Marathon in 2013.
LO 14.7
Poor nations spend a lot on weapons due to fear of neighboring territories and an unstable _________.
A: citizenship
B: power elite
C: culture
D: view of the world
Poor nations spend a lot on weapons due to fear of neighboring territories and an unstable _________.
A: citizenship
B: power elite
C: culture
D: view of the world
Arms sales are likely to remain because they are very profitable.
A: True
B: False
Arms sales are likely to remain because they are very profitable.
A: True
B: False
Question for Discussion
Explain the military-industrial complex and how it affects war in the U.S.