Unconventional Violence and International Politics

Abstract

I find myself in agreement with Professor Dugard’s dissent concerning the title given us for discussion, namely the question of “terrorism.” I have titled my discussion instead “unconventional violence and international politics.”

Violence has constituted an important aspect of international relations for as long as recorded history. Despite all honest and important efforts, legal or otherwise, to control, regulate, and contain the kind of violence, legitimate or illegitimate, that can be utilized by states there is every likelihood that international relations will continue to be governed by the capacities of states to resort to violence in the pursuit of their real or imagined interests.