Why are diversionary incentives less common than once thought?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Diversionary incentives involve a leader starting a war in order to distract the public from domestic issues or problems. However, wars have significant domestic costs, both in terms of human lives and economic resources, making it less of an attractive option for political leaders.

Answer: B
 Cynicism on the part of political leaders is a possible reason why diversionary incentives are less common. If political leaders believe that the public is unlikely to believe their claims that a war is necessary for national security, they may be less inclined to use this strategy.

Answer: D
 The success of diversionary incentives depends on other states becoming preoccupied with the war being fought by the belligerent state. However, in today's interconnected world, it is less likely that other states will be distracted by a war in one country, making this strategy less effective.

Answer: E
 Switching trading partners is not related to diversionary incentives, as the strategy involves starting a war for domestic political purposes. Therefore, this answer is not relevant to the question.

Why Are Diversionary Incentives Less Common Than Once Thought