36 exam-style questions on Interactions of stakeholders and actors in peace and conflict — topic TS3.2 of Thematic Study 3: Peace and conflict in the IB Global Politics syllabus — with answers and explanations. Samples below; the full set is free with an account.
In conflict analysis, the parties directly involved in fighting are called primary parties; those who support or influence a side without fighting directly are best called what?
Answer: Secondary parties
Secondary parties have an indirect stake or support role; third parties (mediators) intervene to help resolve the conflict.
The deployment of a neutral international force to monitor a ceasefire and separate former combatants is best described as
Answer: peacekeeping
Peacekeeping traditionally involves consent of the parties and impartial monitoring; peace enforcement can involve coercive military action without full consent.
Which non-state actor is best known for delivering humanitarian assistance in armed conflicts while maintaining strict neutrality and impartiality?
Answer: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The ICRC, guardian of the Geneva Conventions, operates in conflict zones under the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. NATO is a military alliance, the WTO regulates trade, and Amnesty International focuses on human rights advocacy rather than humanitarian relief.
Informal dialogue between influential private citizens, academics and religious leaders from opposing sides of a conflict, conducted outside official channels, is known as
Answer: Track II diplomacy
Track II diplomacy involves unofficial, non-governmental actors building trust and exploring options when official (Track I) negotiations are blocked or too politically sensitive.
In the analysis of peace processes, actors who use violence or obstruction to derail a negotiated settlement because it threatens their power or interests are called
Answer: spoilers
Spoilers are leaders or factions who perceive a peace agreement as a threat and actively work to undermine it, for example through renewed attacks timed to collapse negotiations.
When rival external powers fund, arm and direct opposing local combatants rather than fighting each other directly, the resulting conflict is best described as a
Answer: proxy war
In a proxy war, external states pursue their rivalry indirectly through local actors, as the superpowers did in several Cold War conflicts, avoiding the costs of direct confrontation.
That was 6 of 36 Interactions of stakeholders and actors in peace and conflict questions.
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36 Interactions of stakeholders and actors in peace and conflict questions — free with an account. Spaced repetition, streaks and full exam simulations included.
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