Causes of Conflict: Explore the Roots of Conflict in Peace and Conflict Studies

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a common root cause of conflict at the societal or group level?

Accepted Answer

Personal grudges and antipathies

Answer

Competition over limited resources

Answer

Struggles for power and authority

Answer

Deficiencies in communication and comprehension

Question 2

According to conflict theory, what is a primary cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Scarcity of resources

Answer

Misunderstandings

Answer

Psychological factors

Answer

Cultural homogeneity

Question 3

In the field of peace and conflict studies, which of the following is NOT recognized as a primary cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Personal grudge

Answer

Economic disparities

Answer

Political suppression

Answer

Environmental scarcity

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a primary cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political instability

Answer

Cultural differences

Question 5

Identify the primary causes of conflict:

Accepted Answer

Economic inequality

Accepted Answer

Political oppression

Accepted Answer

Religious differences

Answer

Personal grudges

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a primary cause of conflict at the societal level?

Accepted Answer

Personal ambition

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political oppression

Answer

Environmental degradation

Question 7

Which of the following is **not** a key factor in understanding the causes of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Geographical determinism

Answer

Economic factors

Answer

Political factors

Answer

Social factors

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental cause of societal conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Individual grudges

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Social injustice

Answer

Environmental degradation

Question 9

Which of the following is generally NOT considered a primary cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Cultural homogeneity

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Environmental degradation

Answer

Political oppression

Question 10

Which of the following is generally NOT considered a major cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Genetic differences between populations leading to inherent hostility

Answer

Historical grievances causing resentment and animosity

Answer

Environmental degradation leading to resource scarcity and competition

Answer

Cultural misunderstandings and prejudice leading to discrimination and hostility

Question 11

Which factor is essential for understanding the underlying causes of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Interactions between societal groups

Answer

Influence of individual actions

Answer

Influence of emotions

Answer

Impact of media coverage

Question 12

Which of the following is least likely to be a contributing factor to the outbreak of armed conflict?

Accepted Answer

Personal preference

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political oppression

Answer

Environmental degradation

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT considered a major cause of conflict, as discussed in the unit's materials?

Accepted Answer

Technological advancement

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Political oppression

Question 14

What is currently considered the primary cause of violent conflict globally?

Accepted Answer

Political grievances and state repression

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Climate change

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental structural cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Personal conflicts and individual grievances

Answer

Economic inequality and resource scarcity

Answer

Environmental degradation and climate change

Answer

Political oppression and human rights violations

Question 16

In the context of this unit on the Causes of Conflict, which of the following is NOT a major factor contributing to large-scale conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Personal disagreements

Answer

Socioeconomic disparities

Answer

Environmental degradation

Answer

Ideological differences

Question 17

In conflict management, which approach is crucial for achieving long-lasting solutions?

Accepted Answer

Addressing the root causes of the conflict

Answer

Enforcing external solutions without involving the parties involved

Answer

Addressing only immediate symptoms without considering long-term effects

Question 18

Which of the following is a common consequence of protracted conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Economic instability and displacement of populations

Answer

Increased political stability and economic growth

Answer

Improved social cohesion and community resilience

Answer

Enhanced international cooperation and conflict resolution

Question 19

In peacebuilding, which approach emphasizes addressing conflict's root causes and empowering local communities to create lasting solutions?

Accepted Answer

Participatory, bottom-up approaches empowering local communities

Answer

Top-down, externally imposed solutions

Answer

Symptom-focused conflict management strategies

Answer

Military interventions for enforcing peace

Question 20

Which of the following is a factor that is NOT conducive to the outbreak of violent conflict?

Accepted Answer

Strong social cohesion

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political oppression

Question 21

Which of the following is an uncommon cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Personal grudges

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Ideological differences

Answer

Scarcity of resources

Question 22

Which factor is central to the conflict diamond theory's explanation of conflict in resource-rich nations?

Accepted Answer

Extreme economic inequality, especially in resource wealth distribution

Answer

Inadequate education levels

Answer

Strong, effective democratic institutions

Answer

Significant cultural and ethnic diversity

Question 23

According to the unit's learning objectives, which of the following is NOT a primary cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Personal disputes

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Environmental degradation

Question 24

What is a primary factor contributing to conflict between ethnic groups?

Accepted Answer

Cultural disparities

Answer

Economic disparities

Answer

Political instability

Answer

Environmental degradation

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental cause of conflict, according to contemporary theories in Peace and Conflict Studies?

Accepted Answer

Leadership failure

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Group identity and polarization

Answer

Scarcity of resources

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT considered a method of conflict resolution?

Accepted Answer

Unilateral action

Answer

Negotiation

Answer

Mediation

Answer

Arbitration

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT an effective strategy for conflict prevention?

Accepted Answer

Suppressing dissent

Answer

Fostering dialogue and communication

Answer

Addressing economic inequalities

Answer

Establishing impartial institutions

Question 28

Which of the following is not considered a primary cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Biological pre-dispositions

Answer

Economic disparities

Answer

Political grievances

Answer

Social divisions

Question 29

Social identity theory posits that conflict can arise when:

Accepted Answer

Individuals form strong attachments to social groups and view others through the lens of group membership

Answer

People are primarily motivated by personal gain and achievement

Answer

Individuals crave power and control over others

Answer

Cultural norms and values have a negligible influence on behavior

Question 30

The concept of 'securitization' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The process of portraying an issue as a threat to national security

Answer

The use of military force to resolve conflicts

Answer

The negotiation and implementation of peace agreements

Answer

The role of international organizations in conflict prevention

Question 31

Which of the following is not a primary objective of peacebuilding?

Accepted Answer

Punishment of perpetrators of violence

Answer

Establishment of legitimate and effective governance

Answer

Promotion of economic development

Answer

Protection of human rights

Question 32

Which of the following is not typically considered a major contributing factor to the onset of conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Economic disparities

Answer

Political repression

Answer

Social injustices

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a major factor contributing to conflict?

Accepted Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Economic disparity

Answer

Political suppression

Answer

Social prejudice

Question 34

What is the term for a conflict that occurs within the borders of a single state?

Accepted Answer

Intrastate conflict

Answer

Interstate conflict

Answer

Ethnic conflict

Answer

Class conflict

Question 35

The concept of 'relative deprivation' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

People are only dissatisfied with their situation if they compare it to others who are better off.

Answer

Conflicts inevitably arise from large income disparities.

Answer

Political grievances are typically more important than economic concerns.

Answer

Social inequality is the primary cause of conflicts.

Question 36

The 'resource curse' refers to the phenomenon that:

Accepted Answer

Abundant natural resources can paradoxically lead to conflict and economic stagnation.

Answer

Countries with high levels of resource wealth always experience rapid economic growth.

Answer

Resource-rich countries are immune to political instability.

Answer

The discovery of natural resources inevitably leads to peace and prosperity.

Question 37

The theory of 'rational choice' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals will choose to engage in violent conflict only if they believe it is in their best interests.

Answer

Emotions and social norms play no role in conflict behaviour.

Answer

Individuals are always rational actors in conflict situations.

Answer

Conflict is inevitable because humans are inherently irrational.

Question 38

The concept of 'identity politics' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The use of group identity as a basis for political mobilization

Answer

The belief that one's own group is superior to others

Answer

The rejection of all social categorizations

Answer

The exclusive focus on economic interests in politics

Question 39

The 'democratic peace theory' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Democracies are less likely to engage in violent conflict with each other.

Answer

Democracy is the only form of government that can prevent conflict.

Answer

Economic factors are more important than political institutions in determining the likelihood of conflict.

Answer

Conflicts between democracies are always more severe than those between non-democracies.

Question 40

Analyze the concept of **just peace** and its implications for conflict resolution. Consider the complexities and challenges involved in achieving just and sustainable peace.

Accepted Answer

Peacebuilding processes that prioritize just peace often involve compromises and trade-offs.

Answer

The pursuit of just peace always guarantees a perfect and universally accepted resolution.

Answer

Just peace focuses solely on addressing the surface-level symptoms of conflict.

Answer

Just peace is primarily concerned with punishing individuals responsible for conflict.

Question 41

Which of the following is not a leading cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political oppression

Answer

Social injustice

Question 42

The idea that conflicts are often complex and involve multiple interconnected factors is known as:

Accepted Answer

Complexity theory

Answer

System theory

Answer

Chaos theory

Answer

Network theory

Question 43

The process of building a just and peaceful society, addressing the root causes of conflict, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Peacebuilding

Answer

Peacemaking

Answer

Conflict resolution

Answer

Conflict management

Question 44

Examine how climate change contributes to conflict dynamics. Discuss the role of environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and climate-induced displacement in escalating tensions and conflicts.

Accepted Answer

Climate change intensifies existing vulnerabilities and inequalities, heightening the risk of conflict escalation.

Answer

Climate change is a negligible factor in conflict dynamics.

Answer

Climate change mainly impacts coastal regions, with minimal effects inland.

Answer

Technological advancements can fully mitigate the conflict-inducing effects of climate change.

Question 45

How do historical grievances and ongoing conflicts affect the difficulty of resolving certain conflicts? Discuss the challenges of resolving conflicts that are rooted in deep-seated historical wounds.

Accepted Answer

Historical legacies and ongoing grievances can make conflicts more difficult to resolve.

Answer

Historical grievances have no significant impact on the difficulty of resolving conflicts.

Answer

Conflicts rooted in historical grievances can be easily resolved through negotiation and compromise.

Answer

It is impossible to resolve conflicts that are rooted in deep-seated historical wounds.

Question 46

Evaluate the role of the United Nations (UN) in conflict prevention and resolution. Discuss its strengths and weaknesses, providing specific examples to support your analysis.

Accepted Answer

The UN has a strong role in conflict management due to its global reach and mandate for peace.

Accepted Answer

The UN has a mixed role in conflict management, with both strengths and weaknesses.

Answer

The UN is ineffective in conflict management due to resource constraints and political divisions.

Answer

The UN is largely absent from conflict management due to its limited resources and political influence.

Question 47

How do gender norms and stereotypes contribute to conflict, particularly affecting women and girls?

Accepted Answer

They reinforce power imbalances and discrimination, increasing conflict risk.

Accepted Answer

They exclude women and girls from peacebuilding and decision-making, limiting their influence.

Accepted Answer

They shape conflict dynamics and the roles women and girls play.

Answer

They provide inherent protection for women and girls from conflict-related violence.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a potential outcome of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced cooperation

Answer

Human suffering

Answer

Economic instability

Answer

Environmental damage

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT considered a root cause of conflict, according to theories studied in this unit?

Accepted Answer

Cultural diversity

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political oppression

Answer

Environmental degradation

Question 50

The theory of relative deprivation suggests that individuals or groups may engage in conflict when they perceive a significant gap between their expectations and their actual conditions.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 51

Which of the following is NOT considered a potential consequence of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Increased social cohesion

Answer

Human suffering

Answer

Economic disruption

Answer

Environmental damage

Question 52

How do primary and secondary causes of conflict relate?

Accepted Answer

Primary causes set the stage for conflict, while secondary causes trigger or accelerate it.

Answer

Primary causes are long-lasting and fundamental, while secondary causes are short-lived and easily addressed.

Answer

Secondary causes are more significant than primary causes and drive conflict more strongly.

Question 53

Which of the following is NOT considered a major cause of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Political factors

Answer

Environmental factors

Answer

Economic factors

Question 54

Economic inequality can lead to conflict when it results in:

Accepted Answer

Increased dissatisfaction and social unrest among the disadvantaged

Answer

Increased political stability

Answer

Enhanced social cohesion

Answer

Improved economic growth and development

Question 55

Political grievances that remain unaddressed can escalate into conflict when they:

Accepted Answer

Foster a sense of injustice and alienation

Answer

Are resolved through peaceful negotiations

Answer

Are effectively suppressed by the government

Answer

Are ignored by the international community

Question 56

Social factors that can contribute to conflict include:

Accepted Answer

Ethnic and religious divisions, as well as social inequality

Answer

Strong social cohesion

Answer

Cultural diversity

Answer

Effective communication

Question 57

Environmental degradation and resource scarcity can lead to conflict due to:

Accepted Answer

Competition for limited resources and displacement of populations

Answer

Improved environmental stewardship

Answer

Increased economic cooperation

Question 58

Which of the following is a common characteristic of intractable conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Deep-seated distrust and polarization

Answer

Strong leadership

Answer

Limited international involvement

Answer

Clearly defined and attainable goals

Question 59

Conflict prevention strategies often prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Addressing underlying causes and building resilience within communities

Answer

Negotiation and mediation after conflict has erupted

Answer

Military intervention

Question 60

Which of the following is a key principle of nonviolent conflict resolution?

Accepted Answer

Respect for the inherent dignity and worth of all parties

Answer

Dominance and control

Answer

Use of force or coercion

Answer

Retaliation and blame

Question 61

The effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts is enhanced by:

Accepted Answer

Local ownership, sustainability, and inclusion

Answer

International intervention alone

Answer

Short-term funding and support

Answer

Sole reliance on military force

Question 62

Which of the following is NOT explicitly listed as a major cause of conflict in the provided unit description?

Accepted Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Political oppression

Answer

Environmental degradation

Question 63

Which of the following is a fundamental factor contributing to economic inequality?

Accepted Answer

Unequal distribution of resources

Answer

Political oppression

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Climate change

Question 64

Identify a common manifestation of political oppression.

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissent

Answer

Environmental degradation

Answer

Economic inequality