Why can failed diplomatic negotiations lead to war?

Failed diplomatic negotiations can lead to war because, in the realm of international relations, war often serves as the ultimate argument of the state when dialogue fails to resolve disputes. When states cannot reach a mutually acceptable agreement through negotiation—a process intended to advance national interests through compromise—the issues that remain unresolved are frequently left to be decided on the battlefield or through civil conflict.1

Diplomacy is fundamentally a tool for managing competition and avoiding the high costs of armed conflict. However, when negotiations break down, it may be because the parties involved have conflicting goals that they are unwilling to reconcile, or because they are unable to establish a framework of agreed principles. In such instances, the failure to find a peaceful resolution means that states may resort to force to protect their interests, change the status quo, or respond to perceived aggression. Ultimately, when words are no longer sufficient to bridge the gap between competing national objectives, the breakdown of diplomatic communication removes the primary barrier to the use of military force.213