Question

Argue why or why not issue indivisibility can by itself be a cause of war. If not, argue what solves the problem of the indivisibility of issues/objects.

Give two reasons why a war might occur between both countries even though their leaders are rational and war is costly (besides incomplete information or potentially issue indivisibility.

Answer 1

Issue Indivisibility can itself be a cause of war. This was argued by James Fearon and Robert Powell stating that there are three factors that might act in favour of war, despite war being expensive. The causes were:

1.private information and incentives to misrepresent,

2.commitment problems,

3.issue indivisibility.

War might occur amongst two countries even if it may be expensive because:

1. war is a great way of showcasing power and authority over the other.

2.Also if a state wins over the others authority then it becomes more profitable for the winner to arrive at a better agreement over the aggrieved issue..