The Strategy of Civil Conflict: The Determinants of Conflict Intensity and Effect of Intensity on Duration

Abstract

Conflict onset and duration have been studied extensively, however the dynamics

of what happens within a conflict have received much less attention.

At the center of the issue of conflict dynamics is conflict intensity. Some civil

conflicts resemble interstate wars with armies using conventional tactics which

kill thousands of people per year, while many others consist of small guerrilla

conflicts that kill only dozens. The capabilities of the rebel groups in these

conflicts determine the tactics they will adopt, which in turn determines how

intensely the conflict will be fought. Foreign intervention into civil conflicts

influences the tactical decisions of actors, further increasing conflict intensity.

To add to the disastrous effects of high-intensity conflicts, when intensity increases,

conflicts also last longer, increasing the period over which the damage

from these conflicts is inflicted.