Evaluate the view that territorial gain is the main cause of border conflict between nation states
(20)
Territorial gain largely involves a nation state invading another nation state in order to gain a military or
defensive advantage. This is not the most significant cause of border conflict, with historical and patriotic
reasons being the most significant. The economic gain that can be obtained from invading a neighbouring
country is also significant, although it is the least significant factor as it is typically not the evident focus of
various countries seeking to invade another nation state. Historical and cultural factors are the most
significant cause due to them being the primary driver behind country’s leaders' decisions and wishes to
invade neighbouring countries, with this often involving the reunification of two countries who were
previously together.
Historical and patriotic factors are the most significant cause behind border conflict between nation states.
This is due to this being the most important driver behind the decisions that various nation states make.
This can best be seen through the recent Russia/Ukraine conflict and the ongoing border dispute over
Taiwan. In both instances, the aggressor country is controlled by an authoritarian government who is
driving these conflicts. Analysing the rhetoric and actions of these governments, we can see that historical
reasons supersede other causes such as territorial gain and economic reasons. In the Russia and Ukraine
situation, both countries have an extremely interconnected history, with Kiev allegedly being the founding
city of Soviet life and the countries being part of the same union for most of the 20th century. Vladimir
Putin views this interconnected history as the most significant reason or justification for his invasion and
this border conflict, calling the collapse of the USSR “the greatest geo-political tragedy of the 20th
century”. The idea that Ukraine is not even a nation state but is simply part of a greater Russia is deeply
ingrained in the minds of the Soviet leadership. Historical reasons for border conflicts can also be seen as
extremely significant when examining the dispute between Taiwan and China, with the Chinese
government in Beijing viewing Taiwan as an imposter and also as part of a cohesive Chinese nation.
Historical events, with the former Chinese government fleeing Mao Zedong and seeking refuge in
Taiwan, have had a large impact on Xi Jinping’s actions and desire to reclaim the island. Therefore, the
most significant cause of border conflicts is historical and cultural reasons, due to these being clearly
evidenced as the primary motives behind the actions of aggressor nations which are then driving forward
these issues.
Territorial gain, although significant, is not as significant in causing border conflicts as historical factors.
Historical and cultural factors are clearly the motivators behind the actions of currently aggressive and
authoritarian states, whereas territorial gain is viewed as less important, therefore it is less significant.
However, the importance of territorial gain can also be seen through the Ukraine and Taiwan examples.
Ukraine is significant in providing a defensive ‘buffer zone’ against Western nations in Europe, in order to
defend Russia. This is an idea that the current Russian leadership and previous leaders throughout past
centuries have shared, with the common goal of territorial gain providing a more difficult path to
potential invaders. Although less important in this particular example, territorial gain in Taiwan would
provide a military advantage, both in terms of defending mainland China from a naval invasion and
potentially striking US military bases in Japan and Guam. This evidences how territorial gain is a
significant cause behind border disputes, however, historical factors remain more significant. Whilst these
authoritarian governments, specifically Russia’s, do believe in territorial gain being significant towards their
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