‘New’ and ‘old’ wars – the changing dimensions of warfare

Anna Antczak

doi:10.14746/pp.2018.23.3.15

Abstract

The article aims to present the issue of ‘old’ versus ‘new’ wars in relation to their specific features. It focuses on the characteristics of both phenomena, as well as providing an analysis of the causes and sources of armed conflicts and their changing dimensions. Methods of waging war have changed along with the political, economic, social and technological developments which have been observed over the years. The very philosophy of war has undergone changes in a similar way. The article aims to identify the direction of changes in the dimensions of war. It also provides an insight into the privatization of warfare and the constantly growing importance of non-state actors in shaping the international order, and therefore their role in post-modern wars.

Highlights

As it was noticed by Clausewitz (1968), war has always been a part of human society and still is, despite the many changes that have taken place within societies and political systems, the global balance of power and its meaning, as well as war itself and the way it is conducted
The analysis presented above shows a slow shift of power from states towards nonstate actors, whose role in international politics and security is constantly growing
The slow diffusion of the nation-state is caused by two kinds of contradictory forces: integration and dissolution

Summary

Introduction

As it was noticed by Clausewitz (1968), war has always been a part of human society and still is, despite the many changes that have taken place within societies and political systems, the global balance of power and its meaning, as well as war itself and the way it is conducted. Ken Booth, on the other hand, argues that the observation provided by Kaldor is correct as such, but the construct of the ‘new war’ is inappropriate, as there is not enough evidence to justify calling contemporary warfare ‘new’ (Booth, 2001) Others, like Bellamy (2007), state that most of the characteristics attributed to ‘new’ war are well-established, but agree that the novel factor is globalization This argument is supported by Martin Shaw (2000), who claims that globalization is the driver for various changes, including the changing character of war.

Aims

Conclusions