Armed conflict is the use of violence to settle disputes over political power, territorial and ethnic issues, and societal stresses like poverty, injustice and inequality. It is a key driver of human rights violations, aggravates poverty and undermines economic growth. In addition, armed conflicts create displacement, strain social services in neighboring countries, and cause significant economic disruption, including the destruction of infrastructure and the loss of productive capacity.
The root causes of armed conflict are often complex and interdependent. They include:
Identity
Disappointment over perceived injustices, grievances and the perception of an imbalance of power can lead to a sense of resentment towards another group and spark a desire to take control by force. This is especially the case where identity, encompassing ethnic, religious or cultural affiliations are manipulated by political and other elites to justify the use of force.
Aspirations for Hegemony
A sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo and an aspiration to assume a dominant position in the international system leads to direct contests between a dominant state (or group of states) and a rising challenger, so-called hegemonic wars.
Opportunities for Rebellion
The availability of income-generating resources and the opportunity to obtain a military education are among the main incentives for people to join non-state armed groups in order to participate in an armed conflict. The presence of exportable primary commodities is also a factor that motivates people to enlist as combatants. Civilian and military personnel who have participated in armed conflicts are particularly susceptible to “moral injury”, which is a profound psychological distress caused by the violation of one’s moral conscience.