The Strategy of Territorial Conflict

• Published in: American journal of political science Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 969 - 987
• Main Author: Carter, David B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.10.2010; Wiley Subscription Services; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Armed conflict; Armed Forces; Boundaries; Conflict; Disputes; Economic expectations; Economic resources; Economic value; Empirical research; Land claims; Majorities; Military intervention; Military strategy; Modeling; Political control; Strategic behaviour; Territorial conflict; Territorial disputes; Territories; Violence; War
• ISSN: 0092-5853; 1540-5907
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5907.2010.00471.x

Many empirical studies have found that disputes over territory are central to the outbreak and intensity of the majority of interstate military conflict. However, the existing literature lacks an explicit theoretical link between the role territory plays in disputes and the outbreak of violence as well as an exploration of how the control of territory is related to conventional military capabilities. This article demonstrates that the targets of territorial claims can consolidate their control over disputed territory to improve their ability to fight effectively on it. The empirical analysis suggests that when territory is strategically located, target states are more likely to consolidate their position, while challenger states are less likely to escalate militarily. Furthermore, when the presence of territorial characteristics such as strategic location makes consolidation an effective strategy, target states are increasingly likely to consolidate as they face stronger opponents.