REVISITING THE DEBATE ON THE OBSOLESCENCE & CHANGING CHARACTER OF WARS: SCHOOLS, ARGUMENTS & CRITIQUES

This study examines the debate on the obsolescence of interstate wars and the new wars paradigm. Since the end of the Cold War, peace and conflict studies have explored the evolving characteristics and potential decline of interstate wars. Some scholars argue that (major) interstate wars have become obsolete due to economic, social, and political progress and technological advances. Others highlight the increasing prevalence of intrastate wars characterized by privatization and demilitarization of violence, asymmetry, and identity orientation. This debate centers on the dichotomy between “old wars” and “new wars,” emphasizing their economic dimension and post-Clausewitzian nature. In accordance with the critiques of the new wars paradigm, the recent conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, and Ethiopia underscore the continued relevance of interstate wars and the enduring significance of Clausewitzian warfare in contemporary conflicts. By tracing the origins of the new wars paradigm, this study provides a comprehensive examination of the future of interstate wars and Clausewitzian warfare, concluding that these remain significant in contemporary conflicts as well as international politics.