Wars and conflicts 2.1 WORLD
What is the main generally accepted distinction between a “conflict” and a “war” in strategic studies?
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THE CORRECT ANSWER: A war is an armed conflict reaching a certain threshold of intensity and victims
In international relations and polemology (scientific study of war and armed conflict considered as a global social and psychological phenomenon), the term “conflict” is a generic concept designating an opposition of interests or values between two or more parties.It can remain latent, diplomatic or economic without necessarily tipping over into physical violence. On the other hand, “war” is defined as an armed conflict of greater intensity, often characterized by the crossing of a symbolic threshold, such as that of 1,000 combat deaths per year according to certain research institutes.War involves the methodical organization of violence by political entities, such as states or organized groups, aimed at imposing their will by force. Understanding this nuance is essential to analyzing the escalation of global tensions, because a simple diplomatic conflict can remain manageable, while the transition to war marks a complete breakdown in the international security order.