ABSTRACT
The theoretical discussion in Chapter 2 identified the integrated approach to understanding interstate conflict escalation as an appropriate method for examining the Iran-Iraq War. This approach utilizes a multidimensional process to understanding conflict escalation and war, derived from issues under contention, foreign policy reciprocity and power transition theory. In particular, issues were shown to explain what states are likely to fight about, with issue salience the characteristic that most “likely influences the chances for war” (Diehl, 1992: 341). This theory holds that the greater the importance political leaders or publics consign to the issues under contention influences the type of foreign policy behavior enacted. In their examination of territorial issues in the Americas and Western Europe, Hensel and McLaughlin-Mitchell (2005) found that salience levels were a pertinent factor in determining both the escalation of conflict to war and peaceful agreements. Other recent examples have found that issues are an important consideration in the escalation of conflict to war, including Petersen’s (2008) examination of regime type and issues under contention, and Rasler and Thompson (2006) who identify issues and rivalry to be important explanatory factors in militarized interstate disputes and war.
