Understanding the Conflict Choices of Dictatorships
Journal: International Studies Review
Year: 2015

The aggressive acts of dictatorships often dominate news headlines, ranging from Russia's annexation of the Ukraine's Crimea in early 2014 to North Korea's decision to test-fire both short- and medium-range missiles on multiple occasions that same year in violation of UN resolutions. Though we often associate dictatorships with belligerence, many dictatorships are, in fact, peaceful; for example, Malaysia (led by the United Malays National Organisation) or Botswana (led by the Botswana Democrati