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IB Global Politics: Thematic study: Peace and conflict

Types of conflict, violence, peacemaking and peacebuilding. 3 subtopics, 14 key terms.

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In this topic: 4.1 · 4.2 · 4.3

4.1Contested meanings of peace, conflict and violence

Negative peace: The absence of direct violence (Galtung).
Positive peace: The presence of justice and conditions that prevent violence.
Structural violence: Harm caused by unjust social structures (poverty, discrimination).
Cultural violence: Beliefs and ideas that justify direct or structural violence.
Interstate / intrastate conflict: Between states / within a state (civil war).

Galtung's triangle: direct, structural and cultural violence reinforce each other.

The full notes, worked example, interactive diagram and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.

Exam tip: Using Galtung's terms precisely is one of the easiest ways to show conceptual understanding.

Conflict escalation: Increase in intensity of a conflict.
Security dilemma: One state's defensive build-up threatens another, causing an arms race.
Non-violence: Resistance without physical force (boycotts, strikes, civil disobedience).
Greed vs grievance: Debate on whether wars are driven by profit opportunities or injustice (Collier).

Causes: territory, resources, identity, ideology, power, grievances, weak states.

The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.

Exam tip: Use a named conflict and trace its stages: examiners like evidence of dynamics, not just causes.

Peacemaking: Diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement.
Peacekeeping: Deploying forces to maintain a ceasefire (UN “blue helmets”).
Peacebuilding: Long-term work to address root causes and build positive peace.
Responsibility to Protect (R2P): 2005 principle: states must protect their people; if they fail, the international community has a responsibility to act.
Reconciliation: Restoring relationships after conflict.

Peacemaking: negotiation, mediation (e.g. Good Friday Agreement, 1998; Colombia–FARC deal, 2016).

The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.

Exam tip: Distinguish the three “P”s: they are often confused, and precise use earns marks.