Triple R Theory

Triple R theory is a holistic approach to analyze the causes of conflict. This theory assumes that three fundamental questions needs to be answered as “YES” in order to start a conflict.

Do we want to do it? Reason

Can we do it? Resource

Do we dare to do it? Resolve

Reason:

The concept of reason provides answer to the question “do we want to do it?”. Reasons imply both background and proximate reasons. Background reasons refer to structural conditions or underlying remote causes. Proximate reasons cause temporal closeness to the outbreak  of armed conflict. Background reasons important yet they are neither sufficient nor necessary for the outbreak of a conflict whereas proximate reasons are the major factors for the outbreak of war. The motive dimensions related to outbreak of intrastate conflict is caused by background and proximate reasons, generating a legitimacy gap made up of issue-based cleavages or fault lines in society. Although reason provide the fertile ground for a conflict but it alone is not sufficient component of an explanation of the armed conflict.

Resource: The concept of resource provide the answer to “can we do it”. Here resource implies every material and non-material capabilities needed to start a war. Resources can be divided into three different aspects.

Military capabilities: soldiers, weapons, supporters and finances to support military structures.

Organizational capabilities: Mobilization, Networking capabilities

Opportunities structures: absolute or relative possibilities or constraints determined by environment and context which can be advantageous or disadvantageous to the conflicting parties. 

eg. Poor road network, deep jungle, geographical hurdles

Sudden political instability

Availability of easily loot able high valued goods may be natural resources (diamond, Yarshagumba) or private/public properties.

External support: diaspora community, foreign governments, rebels etc.

After the 1990s, the discourse in political economy of war is dominated by the idea that war is a profitable phenomena. Benefits of war for some groups is more than the benefits that occur in peace time especially in underdeveloped countries because war can be a tool to access to status and wealth. The objective of winning war is later replaced by “economically driven interests” which is obtained by continuing fighting and institutionalized violence.

Resolve:

Only the components of reason and resource are not enough to start a conflict. Last but not the least, it needs a strong will too. So, the concept of resolve has to do with the question “Do we dare to do it?”.  Resolve is about the belief system and it a very complicated process. First it should determine that there are no other alternatives left in order to achieve the demands and goals in a peaceful way. Second, no one wills to start a war until and unless he/she is fully convinced that he/she is going to win it. So, war or an armed conflict comes as a last resort. 

People take arms because they have reasons in form of grievances and resources in form of capabilities and opportunities and they have resolve because they see no other alternatives to violence in order to achieve their goals.