Chasing Headlines: Setting the Research Agenda On War

Abstract

This article explores the claim that scholars and policy analysts should direct their attention to understanding new and contemporary conflict phenomena . The idea that contemporary political events should dictate research agendas is something of an anathema to most scholars. In contrast, theory is supposed to stand the test of time, and theoretically drirell research is thought to be the purest form of research, unsullied by the passing headlines of contemporary events. Nenertheless, much scholarly research on international conflict has been driven by coterminous political events. Indeed, sysrematic empirical research can have important rhings to say about allegedly new and emerging conflict phenomena. The first section of this article briefly reviews the evolution of research agendas on international conflict, noting in particular how political events have shaped such changes. Concern is also directed to the other influences on what scholars study. Next is a discussion of the relative merits and disadvantages of "chasing headlines" in research. Finally, and the main focus of the article, is a delineation of four major themes or topics suggested by contemporary political events that could produce fruitful lines of research for international conflict scholars: environmental conflict, ethnic conflict, conflict management and resolution, and internationalized civil conflict.