Question 1

A conflict can start without any preceding internal instability.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 2

Government force used to counter riots and protests usually has adverse effects.

Accepted Answer

The use of government force to counter riots and protests often escalates tensions, can lead to human rights violations, and may further alienate the population, thereby exacerbating the situation rather than resolving it.

Question 3

A revolution is a major, long-term political warfare within a state.

Accepted Answer

A revolution is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due to perceived oppression (political, social, economic) or political incompetence. It does not necessarily involve long-term warfare, although conflict can be a part of it.

Question 4

A coup does not bring about any fundamental change in regime.

Accepted Answer

A coup is a sudden and illegal seizure of power, typically by a small group of military officers. It does not involve any fundamental change in the regime, as the new rulers typically maintain the existing political and economic structures.

Question 5

Poverty is considered as one of the most important precipitating factors of civil war.

Accepted Answer

Poverty creates economic disparities and dissatisfaction among the population, which can lead to social unrest and, in extreme cases, contribute to the conditions that precipitate civil war. Economic hardship often exacerbates grievances against the state or other groups, leading to conflict.

Question 6

Foreign invasions were not a factor in the successful Communist revolutions.

Accepted Answer

Foreign invasions and interventions played significant roles in several countries, creating conditions that facilitated or influenced Communist revolutions, such as the German invasion of Russia during World War I, which contributed to the conditions leading to the Bolshevik Revolution.

Question 7

A proxy war is a war at arm's length, where the two opposing sides do not directly tangle with each other.

Accepted Answer

A proxy war involves third parties fighting on behalf of more powerful parties rather than those powers fighting directly.

Question 8

Selective incentives used to entice recruits to a rebel group to end dictatorial rule often form the basis for corruption under the new regime.

Accepted Answer

Selective incentives, such as promises of power, wealth, or positions, can create expectations and a culture of entitlement among recruits. Once the regime changes, these individuals may seek to cash in on their contributions, leading to corruption and patronage within the new government.

Question 9

Greed is the motivating factor for all involved in conflict.

Accepted Answer

Conflict can arise from various factors such as misunderstandings, differences in values or beliefs, competition for resources, and power struggles, not just greed.

Question 10

The United States has been prudent and responsible while engaging with Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria; and therefore, it could avert many ethnic, tribal, and religious conflicts.

Accepted Answer

The United States' engagements in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria have been marked by significant challenges, including the exacerbation of ethnic, tribal, and religious conflicts, rather than their aversion.

Question 11

The 1979 Iranian revolution was led by ________.

Accepted Answer

The 1979 Iranian revolution was primarily led by Islamic clerics, with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini becoming the most prominent figure and leader of the revolution.

Question 12

A civil war is a ________.

Accepted Answer

A civil war is defined as a major, long-term conflict that occurs within a single country or state, involving parties or factions of the same nation fighting against each other.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about civil wars holds true?

Accepted Answer

Civil wars can indeed be influenced or exacerbated by international politics, as external powers may support different factions within a country for their own strategic interests.

Question 14

How would you distinguish between a civil war and a revolution?

Accepted Answer

A civil war is typically a prolonged conflict within a country between different groups, often over control of the government or territory, and is considered a process. A revolution, on the other hand, refers to a significant and often rapid change in political power or organizational structures, typically seen as an outcome.

Question 15

Which of the following regions has experienced the most coups?

Accepted Answer

Latin America has experienced the most coups historically, particularly during the 20th century, with numerous countries in the region undergoing multiple changes in government through military coups.

Question 16

Which of the following is true of a coup?

Accepted Answer

A coup, or coup d'état, primarily aims at taking power, often through non-democratic means. It does not necessarily have to be peaceful, nonviolent, bloody, carried out by the common people, or through democratic means. The main goal is the seizure of power, typically by a small group, which could include military officials or other elites within the state apparatus.

Question 17

Who among the following has become synonymous with revolution the world over?

Accepted Answer

Ernesto "Che" Guevara is widely recognized as a symbol of rebellion and revolution worldwide, known for his role in the Cuban Revolution and his iconic image that has been popularized in various forms of media and protest art.

Question 18

The theory of relative deprivation explains that people are more willing to turn to violence when ________.

Accepted Answer

The theory of relative deprivation suggests that violence is more likely to occur when people perceive a significant gap between their expected and actual living conditions or achievements, leading to frustration and potential aggression when these expectations are not met at an acceptable level.

Question 19

The theory of relative deprivation is most often applied to ________.

Accepted Answer

The theory of relative deprivation is most often applied to the economic gap, as it deals with individuals' perceptions of their economic status compared to others.

Question 20

A long, desperate foreign war may give birth to an internal war in a country. This was especially true of ________.

Accepted Answer

The 1917 Russia conflict, also known as the Russian Revolution, was significantly influenced by the strains and dissatisfaction caused by Russia's involvement in World War I, leading to internal strife and revolution.

Quiz 13: Internal Conflict