Key Idea: This topic is why conflicts happen and how they end: the causes (greed vs grievance), the types & dynamics (interstate/intrastate, escalation), and the tools of peace — peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, diplomacy, mediation and arms control. The exam skill: explain what starts a war and what actually ends it.
📚 The micros at a glance
Causes → dynamics → ending conflict
- 4.3.1 Causes — Greed vs grievance (they interact), PIN (positions/interests/needs), identity, weak institutions, triggers.
- 4.3.2 Types & dynamics — Interstate/intrastate/asymmetric; latent→escalation→stalemate→de-escalation. The changing nature of conflict.
- 4.3.3–4.3.4 Peacemaking → building — Peacemaking (deal), peacekeeping (hold it), peacebuilding (remove causes; justice vs reconciliation).
- 4.3.5–4.3.7 Weapons / Diplomacy / Mediation — Arms trade & deterrence; diplomacy (talk not fight); mediation (a trusted third party breaks deadlock).
⚖️ The debates that come up
- Grievance starts it
- Greed sustains it
- Judge: they interact
- Diplomacy is cheaper & lasts
- Force sometimes needed
- Judge: diplomacy first, backed by pressure
- Accountability deters
- Healing rebuilds society
- Judge: lasting peace blends both
Discuss the view that conflicts are caused more by greed than by grievance.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
The 15-mark markband (Paper 2)
Bands 1–6
Mostly descriptive; perspectives <strong>not identified</strong>.
avoid
Bands 7–9
Clear knowledge, but perspectives <strong>identified, not explored</strong>.
7–9
Bands 10–12
Well-supported argument; perspectives <strong>explored</strong>.
10–12
Bands 13–15
Balanced, compelling; perspectives <strong>explored AND evaluated</strong>.
13–15
Important: Picking greed OR grievance, or diplomacy OR force. Examiners reward students who show these <strong>interact</strong> and give a conditional judgement — grievance starts and greed sustains; diplomacy comes first but is strongest backed by pressure.
Answer in your head first, then tap to reveal.
What causes conflict? Multiple causes: grievance (injustice) often starts it, greed (resources) sustains it, plus identity divisions, weak institutions and triggers. They interact.
How has the nature of conflict changed? It is now mostly intrastate and asymmetric, involves non-state actors and new technology, and harms civilians most — though its deeper causes are unchanged.
What is the difference between peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding? Peacemaking makes a deal (diplomacy); peacekeeping holds it (neutral forces); peacebuilding removes the causes (reconciliation, justice) for lasting positive peace.
Is diplomacy or force better? Diplomacy resolves most disputes more cheaply and durably and should come first, but it needs willing partners, so it is strongest backed by the possibility of pressure or force.
Justice or reconciliation after conflict? Both — accountability (trials, ICC) deters and delivers justice, while reconciliation (truth commissions) rebuilds trust. Lasting peace usually blends the two.
Exam tips
- Greed and grievance INTERACT — grievance starts, greed sustains.
- Peacemaking (deal) → peacekeeping (hold) → peacebuilding (remove causes).
- Diplomacy first, backed by pressure; force sometimes needed.
- Lasting peace blends justice and reconciliation.