Crowds, Mobs and Nonlethal Weapons
Abstract
An examination of peacekeeping and warfighting, despite their similarities, is a study of contrasts. First, peacekeeping operations are highly sensitive to political objectives and tend to cast the military in a supporting, rather than a leading role. The military has developed doctrine and honed procedures to prepare for and execute war. Peacekeeping operations, however, present new problems for which there are few readily apparent solutions. Second, adversaries during peacekeeping operations are often amorphous and difficult to identify. Factions with shifting loyalties and alliances can be friend one day and foe the next and then friend again the day after. These factions often seek to further their cause not by winning but by provoking a situation in which they can be seen as victims. While enemies can be conquered, this mercurial aspect of peacekeeping adversaries makes the application of any force difficult. Third, while force is the predominate means of imposing the commanders will in war, it can actually be counter-productive in peacekeeping missions. Peace imposed at any cost can be viewed as tyranny. Roman historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus noted, A bad peace is even worse than war. Fourth, destructive influences in a community always compete with society's legitimate right to restrain them. Citizens either comply with legitimate mandates or defy laws and even efforts to enforce them. That tension does not disappear when stability is restored; civilian law enforcement merely replaces the military peacekeeping force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA524113
Entities
People
- Sid Heal
Organizations
- Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate