What is problematic about realist belief that war is a policy instrument that transnational actors use to resolve their conflicts?
war is the deadliest instrument of conflict resolution, & its onset usually means that persuasion & negotiations have failed
There are several problematic aspects of the realist belief that war can be seen as a policy instrument for resolving conflicts among transnational actors. First, it assumes that conflict is an inevitable part of international relations, and that war is a natural and effective means of resolving disputes. This overlooks the fact that war is a destructive and costly method that harms both the winner and the loser, leaving long-lasting impacts on societies and people.
Moreover, the realist belief neglects the fact that wars often lead to unintended consequences, including humanitarian crises, refugee flows, and economic destabilization. The belief ignores that wars often create new and more severe conflicts, rather than resolving existing ones.
Furthermore, the realist belief entails that the decision to wage war is based solely on rational calculations of costs and benefits. This is problematic since decisions concerning warfare are often influenced by irrational factors such as pride, emotions, ideology, and domestic politics.
Finally, the realist belief fails to consider alternative methods of conflict resolution, such as diplomacy, negotiation, and mediation, which often lead to mutually beneficial outcomes and long-lasting peace.