Explain why a state’s leader may initially conceive of diversionary incentives in possibly launching a war for political gain but why nonetheless, leaders generally do not see much likelihood of such a course of action being beneficial. What are the kinds of costs that leaders must factor in when they think of launching a war under these circumstances?

According to the textbook “World Politics: Interests, Interactions, and Institutions”, a state’s leader may adopt a diversionary incentive in order to launch a war for political gain. For example, if a leader faces strong opposition during an election, he or she may initiate a war to bolster domestic support and increase the chances of winning the election. Conversely, leaders often refrain from launching military interventions during election years because they fear that such actions would compromise their ability to win reelection.

Leaders must consider a variety of factors when launching a war for political gain, including the interests of their own country. Important considerations that leaders must factor include both financial costs and human costs.

  • First, there is the cost to taxpayers; wars are expensive, and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
  • Second, there are costs to soldiers and their families; soldiers can lose their lives or be injured in battle, and their families can suffer as a result.
  • Third, there are costs to civilians; citizens can be killed in bombings and other attacks, and they may have to flee their homes in order to escape the violence. Before launching war for political gain, leaders should consider these costs.
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Academic.Tips. (2023) 'Explain why a state's leader may initially conceive of diversionary incentives in possibly launching a war for political gain but why nonetheless, leaders generally do not see much likelihood of such a course of action being beneficial. What are the kinds of costs that leaders must factor in when they think of launching a war under these circumstances'. 19 January.

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Academic.Tips. (2023, January 19). Explain why a state's leader may initially conceive of diversionary incentives in possibly launching a war for political gain but why nonetheless, leaders generally do not see much likelihood of such a course of action being beneficial. What are the kinds of costs that leaders must factor in when they think of launching a war under these circumstances? https://academic.tips/question/explain-why-a-states-leader-may-initially-conceive-of-diversionary-incentives-in-possibly-launching-a-war-for-political-gain-but-why-nonetheless-leaders-generally-do-not-see-much-likelihood-of-such/

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Academic.Tips. 2023. "Explain why a state's leader may initially conceive of diversionary incentives in possibly launching a war for political gain but why nonetheless, leaders generally do not see much likelihood of such a course of action being beneficial. What are the kinds of costs that leaders must factor in when they think of launching a war under these circumstances?" January 19, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/explain-why-a-states-leader-may-initially-conceive-of-diversionary-incentives-in-possibly-launching-a-war-for-political-gain-but-why-nonetheless-leaders-generally-do-not-see-much-likelihood-of-such/.

1. Academic.Tips. "Explain why a state's leader may initially conceive of diversionary incentives in possibly launching a war for political gain but why nonetheless, leaders generally do not see much likelihood of such a course of action being beneficial. What are the kinds of costs that leaders must factor in when they think of launching a war under these circumstances?" January 19, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/explain-why-a-states-leader-may-initially-conceive-of-diversionary-incentives-in-possibly-launching-a-war-for-political-gain-but-why-nonetheless-leaders-generally-do-not-see-much-likelihood-of-such/.


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Academic.Tips. "Explain why a state's leader may initially conceive of diversionary incentives in possibly launching a war for political gain but why nonetheless, leaders generally do not see much likelihood of such a course of action being beneficial. What are the kinds of costs that leaders must factor in when they think of launching a war under these circumstances?" January 19, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/explain-why-a-states-leader-may-initially-conceive-of-diversionary-incentives-in-possibly-launching-a-war-for-political-gain-but-why-nonetheless-leaders-generally-do-not-see-much-likelihood-of-such/.

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"Explain why a state's leader may initially conceive of diversionary incentives in possibly launching a war for political gain but why nonetheless, leaders generally do not see much likelihood of such a course of action being beneficial. What are the kinds of costs that leaders must factor in when they think of launching a war under these circumstances?" Academic.Tips, 19 Jan. 2023, academic.tips/question/explain-why-a-states-leader-may-initially-conceive-of-diversionary-incentives-in-possibly-launching-a-war-for-political-gain-but-why-nonetheless-leaders-generally-do-not-see-much-likelihood-of-such/.

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