War And Peace: Please Respond To The Following Based On The
War And Peaceplease Respond To The Followingbased On The Lecture An
War and Peaceplease respond to the following: Based on the lecture and Webtext materials, address the following: Discuss substantive ways in which armed conflict can contribute to or distract a developing economy and infrastructure. Provide concrete and specific examples. Analyze specific reasons why developed nations do not experience the same kinds of social upheaval. Provide concrete examples. Explain the reasons (political, economic, social) why civil wars are heavily concentrated in the poorest countries. Note: Consider discussing a country you will use for Assignment 1 next week.
Paper For Above instruction
Armed conflict has profound and multifaceted impacts on the development of economies and infrastructure, especially in developing countries. While conflicts can sometimes inadvertently stimulate certain sectors, generally, they are detrimental to economic stability and growth. Conversely, developed nations tend to experience stability that shields them from the social upheaval common in less stable societies. The disproportionate occurrence of civil wars in the poorest countries is rooted in intertwined political, economic, and social factors.
In developing economies, armed conflicts often undermine infrastructure and economic progress. For example, in Syria, the ongoing civil war since 2011 has resulted in the destruction of vital infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and factories. This devastation hampers economic activity, displaces millions, and destroys human capital, leading to long-term developmental setbacks. Similarly, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, conflict has disrupted mining activities and agricultural productivity, which are vital sources of income and government revenue, stunting economic growth. However, in some cases, conflict can temporarily stimulate certain sectors, such as arms manufacturing or reconstruction efforts, but these are often short-lived and do not contribute to sustainable development.
Developed nations, on the other hand, largely escape the social upheavals witnessed in conflict-ridden states. Their stable political institutions, robust legal frameworks, and strong social safety nets provide resilience against internal conflicts. For example, countries like Canada and Australia have low incidences of civil unrest due to longstanding democratic traditions, effective governance, and well-developed social services. The stability attracts investment, promotes social cohesion, and sustains economic development, thus avoiding the destabilizing effects of conflict.
The concentration of civil wars in the poorest countries can be explained by several political, economic, and social dynamics. Politically, weak governance, corruption, and lack of effective institutions create power vacuums that factions vie to fill through violence. Economically, high levels of poverty, unemployment, and economic inequality foster discontent and motivate insurgencies. Socially, ethnic, religious, or regional divisions are often exploited by leaders seeking control or resources, further fueling conflict. For example, in Nigeria, longstanding ethnic and resource-based tensions, coupled with poverty and weak institutions, have led to recurrent insurgencies such as Boko Haram.
These factors are amplified in countries with limited access to education, healthcare, and economic diversification, making them more vulnerable to civil unrest. Additionally, external influences such as foreign intervention or resource exploitation often exacerbate local conflicts. For instance, the civil war in Yemen is driven by internal divisions compounded by external geopolitical interests and economic struggles related to oil revenues.
In particular, understanding the case of South Sudan, which emerged from a history of marginalization and weak governance, illustrates why civil wars remain concentrated in impoverished nations. The lack of economic opportunities, along with political marginalization and ethnic divisions, creates a fertile ground for conflict. The instability hampers development, which in turn perpetuates the cycle of poverty and violence.
In conclusion, armed conflict can temporarily stimulate specific sectors but overwhelmingly disrupts economic and infrastructural development in poor countries. Developed nations maintain stability due to strong institutions, economic diversification, and social cohesion, shielding them from similar upheavals. The prevalence of civil wars in impoverished nations results from a complex interplay of political fragility, economic deprivation, and social divisions, making conflict a persistent challenge in these contexts.
References
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