Copyright © 2006-2007 The Beyond Intractability Project Beyond Intractability is a Registered Trademark of the Universit

1. Copyright © 2006-2007 The Beyond Intractability ProjectBeyond Intractability is a Registered Trademark of the University of Colorado PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

2. Slide 2: Force (Coercive Power) Force consists of making someone do something through coercion “You’d better do what I say, or else!” PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

3. Slide 3: • Force and Threats • Force can take many forms • Physical violence • Negative sanctions • Threats • Threats can work alone IF • They are seen as credible • The threatened action is seen as more harmful than capitulation PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

4. Slide 4: • Risks and Reasons for Force • Force is risky, because • It often generates a backlash • It is often the most expensive conflict response • However, force is often used because • Parties want to make a statement • Parties don’t see any alternative PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

5. Slide 5: • Military Coercion • Military power is based on • Numbers -- of soldiers, weapons, equipment and resources • Technology -- effectiveness and sophistication of equipment • Organization --the coherence, discipline, training and morale of troops and effectiveness of leadership • Society --willingness of society to purse military force PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

6. Slide 6: • Not Capitulating • Decisions not to capitulate are based on • An underestimation of the threat or the threatener • An overestimation of one’s own capabilities • Psychological factors, such as pride or anger • A policy that prevents capitulation to threats PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

7. Slide 7: • Considerations for Threateners • Potential threateners should consider: • Is the opponent likely to respond as • you wish? • What is the likelihood they will lash back — now or later? • Is your threat credible? • How costly is the coercive threat — and action? • How much destruction is the Other • willing to endure? PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

8. Slide 8: • Limits of Coercive Force • Coercive force has its limits • Some responses are beyond our control (a party cannot be coerced into not sneezing) • Coercive force may be inadequate to overcome resistance • Coercive power does not guarantee that the integrative and exchange power necessary for sustainable peace exists PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

9. Slide 9: • Advantages of Coercive Force • Coercive force has some advantages • May be the only option in the face of truly imminent danger • May be the most effective way to ensure access to important or limited resources • Can improve internal cohesion in response to a common enemy • Sometimes is faster than other forms of force — if it works, it gets you what you want more quickly PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)

10. Slide 10: • Disadvantages of Coercive Force • Coercive force has many disadvantages • May increase internal cohesiveness or resolve of the target • Has direct costs (loss of life, land, or resources) • Has indirect costs (use of resources on coercion instead of internal needs) • Coercive force often provokes resistance and/or a backlash, though possibly a delayed one. This causes escalation and increased costs. PowerPoint Summary of: Force (Coercive Power)