The causes of the Gulf War are numerous. On each level of analysis, different reasons can be stated, be it in the personal character of a ruler, the national interest of the state or systemic constraints. From my point of view, there is no single cause that can be made out, but rather every illustrated explanation (and there are many more) accounts for the eruption of the Gulf War. In addition, I want to mention that within this level of analysis approach some important aspects (like values or norms etc.) are neglected, being taken into consideration by other theoretical schools like constructivism.
Table of Contents
The Gulf War in 1991
The conflict
Three levels of analysis
1. The individual level – Why Iraq seized Kuwait
2. The state level – Why the USA stepped in
3. The systems level – why Iraq attacked Kuwait and the US Iraq
Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the causes of the 1991 Gulf War by applying Kenneth Waltz’s three levels of analysis—the individual, the state, and the international system—to explain why Iraq occupied Kuwait and why the international coalition led by the United States intervened.
- The influence of individual decision-makers, specifically Saddam Hussein, on international conflict.
- The impact of state-level factors, such as regime type and national interest, on foreign policy.
- The systemic pressures of the international order, including anarchy and the distribution of power.
- The role of geopolitics and security dilemmas in shaping the Gulf War.
- The theoretical application of neorealism and democratic peace theory to modern conflicts.
Excerpt from the Book
1. The individual level – Why Iraq seized Kuwait
On this level various actor theories are situated (like e.g. Jervis’ approach of cognitive dissonance from 1976). The primary cause of war substantiates „in the inherent sinfulness and avariciousness of man” (Singer 1960, p. 454), which means that “moral principles of individuals may translate into that of nations” (Webber 2008). Human nature gives rise to certain behaviour, being based e.g. on the stupidity of some single decision-makers, on pure egoism or on personal preferences of a specific individual, which in turn can lead to conflicts and war.
The main actor on the individual level with regard to sparking off the second gulf war through occupying Kuwait is the former Iraqi leader himself – Saddam Hussein. I must note that several of the subsequently outlined aspects could also be placed on the state level. However, as Saddam was Iraq’s undisputable autocratic ruler, with all decisions finally made by him, the respective points are placed within the individual level.
Individuals-as-actors theories (Wolfers 1976, p. 4) explain motives and choices that led power-seeking dictator Saddam (“drive for supremacy”, Washington Post 1990) to the occupation of Kuwait. In this case, Saddam’s attack on the one hand presented an obvious opportunity to provide his country with expected gains in terms of securing valuable oil reserves (Saddam accused Kuwait of taking Iraq's oil through slant drilling, thus jeopardizing Iraqi interests by illegally exceeding the OPEC-quota), and furthermore strategic advantages through a large access to the gulf (Filzmaier et al. 2006, p. 167). On the other hand, he was convinced that Kuwait for historic reasons anyway belonged to Iraq, “seeking to redress what he believed to be an illegal situation inherited from the British colonial empire – the independence of Kuwait”, since areas of the southern oil fields in fact had belonged to the Iraqi Basra province before colonization (Mingst 2004, p. 56).
Summary of Chapters
The Gulf War in 1991: Provides an introductory overview of the shifting global order and outlines the scope of the paper using the levels of analysis framework.
The conflict: Summarizes the timeline and phases of the 1991 Gulf War, from the initial Iraqi invasion to the multinational military response.
Three levels of analysis: Explains the theoretical framework based on Kenneth Waltz’s model, defining how individual, state, and systemic lenses are used to interpret international conflict.
1. The individual level – Why Iraq seized Kuwait: Examines Saddam Hussein’s personal motivations, perceptions, and the role of leadership in the decision to occupy Kuwait.
2. The state level – Why the USA stepped in: Analyzes the intervention through the perspective of domestic factors, democratic peace theory, and the protection of geopolitical national interests.
3. The systems level – why Iraq attacked Kuwait and the US Iraq: Discusses the conflict through the lens of Neorealism, focusing on anarchy, the security dilemma, and the structural pressures of the post-Cold War era.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings and argues that no single cause explains the war, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the complexity and multiplicity of theoretical perspectives.
Keywords
Gulf War, Kenneth Waltz, Levels of analysis, Saddam Hussein, Neorealism, Democratic peace theory, International conflict, Security dilemma, Anarchy, Foreign policy, Geopolitics, Individual level, State level, Systems level, Iraq.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this research?
The paper examines the causes of the 1991 Gulf War by evaluating the conflict through three distinct levels of political analysis.
What are the primary theoretical themes covered?
The analysis centers on international relations theory, specifically utilizing Waltz’s framework to explore individual decision-making, state-level regime characteristics, and systemic international constraints.
What is the central research question?
The research asks for a discussion of a recent international conflict and an explanation of its underlying causes on at least three levels of analysis.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author employs a literature analysis to review existing academic theories—such as Neorealism and liberal democratic peace theory—and applies them to the specific historical facts of the 1991 Gulf War.
What core topics are addressed in the main body?
The body chapters detail how the invasion of Kuwait resulted from the personal motivations of Saddam Hussein, how democratic states justified intervention based on regime types and oil interests, and how the anarchic international system pressured states to act for security.
How can the work be characterized by its keywords?
The work is defined by its focus on International Relations theory, the Gulf War, and the structural versus individual causes of war.
Why does the author classify the Gulf War under the "individual level"?
The author argues that because Iraq was an autocratic regime with Saddam Hussein making all final decisions, his personal perceptions and aggressive tendencies were critical drivers of the conflict.
How does "democratic peace theory" relate to the U.S. intervention?
The paper explores the idea that democratic states, which are generally more peaceful among themselves, sought to curb an authoritarian regime that they perceived as a threat to international stability and key resources.
What is the significance of the "systemic level" in this paper?
The systemic level highlights the structural reality of an anarchic international system where states must rely on self-help, which explains why Iraq sought to expand its power and why the U.S. felt compelled to maintain the regional balance.
Does the author claim to provide a complete explanation of the war?
No, the author concludes that the war is complex and suggests that while their approach offers significant insights, other theories like constructivism could also contribute further understanding.
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- Natalie Züfle (Autor:in), 2009, Conflict and Levels of Analysis , München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/180080
