Diversionary Tactics and the Ethiopia-Eritrea War (1998-2000)
Department
School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2017
Embargo Period
6-22-2018
Abstract
Diversionary theories of war suggest that leaders may engage in bellicose foreign policies to divert the public’s attention from domestic problems and capitalize on a ‘rally around the flag’ type of effect. The evidence regarding diversionary theory is quite mixed. More recently, scholars have focused on situations that create opportunities for diversionary behavior, such as international rivalry and territorial disputes. This paper adds to the growing literature on diversionary conflict by considering the Ethiopia–Eritrea case and applying an opportunity-based approach. We assess whether the Ethiopia–Eritrea War (1998–2000) is consistent with diversionary explanations for the war, as many have previously claimed.
Journal Title
Small Wars & Insurgencies
Journal ISSN
0959-2318
Volume
29
Issue
1
First Page
68
Last Page
90
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1080/09592318.2018.1403747