Social/cultural theories (ethnicity and/or religion as conflict causes), and cognitive (attitudes) explanations. Genetic and evolutionary/biologist theories (aggression as a genetic function, maximisation of survival chances) īehaviourist theories (war as learned behaviour) Ĭost-benefit theories (maximisation of benefit) There are different categories of explanations : What makes war probable, however, is a far more complicated question.' (1) War is possible as soon as weapons are available with which to fight it and as long as there is a dispute between two or more parties. It is obvious that there are “very few necessary conditions” which need to be fulfilled in order for a war to develop, and “very many sufficient conditions, of which only a few of these may apply, in any single conflict. However, It is very likely that there is one consensus: that conflict cannot be reduced to a single cause, or a single explanation. It also offers students on the BA Language and International Law programme a further international law option in Year 3/4 of their study.The research on causes of armed conflict so far has not produced a consistent theory acceptable to most scholars working in the field. This module helps to fill the existing gap for LLB students interested in choosing their options with a focus on international law issues. Examples are taken from real conflict situations and since the law reflects political and military necessities as well as humanitarian concerns, we will examine how respect for the rules could be improved. The emphasis throughout this module is practical. It will demonstrate the practical problems of applying and enforcing humanitarian law by evaluating recent armed conflicts. This module will introduce you to the legal rules surrounding armed conflict through the relevant international treaties. It comprises a set of rules that seek to protect persons (and objects) that are affected by war and also to limit the rights of conflicting parties to use the methods of warfare of their choice. The Law of Armed Conflict (also known as International Humanitarian Law) governs the way in which states conduct warfare.

Types of armed conflict