HAWASSA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF CIVICS AND ETHICAL STUDIES

GROUP ASSIGNMENT OF GLOBAL TRENDS

Course Name: - Global Trends
Course code: - GLOT 1012
Department: - Medicine

Group participant’s name:-

Roll no Group Members Name Id. No.

1 EYUEL FISIHA GETACHEW NaScR/1260/14
2 FIRAOL LEMMA JIBAT NaScR/1337/14
3 GEDIYON GELETU ZEMA NaScR/1421/14
4 GIZAW GETU BURAKO NaScR/1485/14
5 HAILE AMARE MAKURIA NaScR/1530/14
6 HASSET GETACHEW TESSEMA NaScR/1599/14
7 HENOK SHIFERAW GEBRESILASSIE NaScR/1667/14
8 HIBA YUSUF ALAMIN NaScR/1680/14
9 HONEY ERSSIDO LENDEBO NaScR/1709/14
10 HONEY GERO GEBRE NaScR/1710/14

SUBMITTED TO: - SOLOMON T. (Ph.D.)

SUBMISSION DATE: - JANUARY 8, 2023 G.C

HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA
 GLOBAL TRENDS 2023

Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................i
1. Identify the major global issues and challenges facing humanity in the 21th century. Identify
the factors (reasons) for the various contemporary global problems of our world. Discuss the role
global citizens should play in offsetting such global challenges.............................................................1
Major global challenges affecting humanity in the twenty-first century..................................................1
Factors for the various contemporary global problems............................................................................3
Roles global citizen should play in offsetting global challenges include;................................................3
2. In which part of the world do you think are such problems as terrorism, weapons proliferation,
inequality, poverty, climate change and cultural conflicts so rampant? Why? And who would you
blame for this?...........................................................................................................................................4
→ WHY? What is the reason behind global problems?...........................................................................4
→Who is to be u blamed for all this?......................................................................................................6
3. What environmental problems is our globe currently suffering from? Discuss why contemporary
global environmental challenges are different from those humanity had faced earlier.......................6
What is environmental problem?.............................................................................................................6
With what environmental problem our world is suffering from?.............................................................6
Why contemporary global environmental challenges are different from those humanity had faced
earlier?...................................................................................................................................................10
4. Discuss the systematic relationship between global inequality and global poverty. Discuss the
impact of global inequality and global poverty on global conflict/ cooperation and peace/war........10
Relationship between global inequality and poverty.............................................................................10
Impact of global inequality and poverty on global conflict, cooperation, peace and war.......................12
5. What does the term clash of cultures or civilizations mean? Discuss the different cultural/
civilization fault lines that are currently arguably being understood as clashing to one another?
Discuss the impact of cultural/ civilization clash on global conflict cooperation and peace/ war?....13
What is Clash of Civilizations?.............................................................................................................13
Why civilizations will clash?.............................................................................................................14
Cultural/civilization fault lines..............................................................................................................14
Impact of cultural/civilizational clash on global conflict/cooperation and peace/war............................15
Conclusion................................................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................17
 GLOBAL TRENDS 2023

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INTRODUCTION
The twenty-first century, we live in a vast world that is changing on a daily basis. There are
numerous factors that directly relate to this significant transformation. The majority of us could
see these changes in our daily lives, but the most crucial aspect of this awareness is
understanding their effects. We cannot deny that these changes have some beneficial effects
(developments) on people. On the other side, the majority of these effects may result in the
extinction of the earth or/and humans. A global issue is something that concerns people
everywhere. This list of global concerns includes broad social, economic, and environmental
problems as well as other phenomena that have an impact on people all around the world. The
World Economic Forum and the United Nations both keep official lists of world concerns that
have been published or are currently being maintained. No one problem can be examined,
handled, or separated from the others. For instance, biodiversity is negatively impacted by
habitat loss and climate change. Overpopulation has direct negative effects on biodiversity,
including deforestation and pollution. Local overcrowding does cause rural emigration, but this
is more than offset by speeding up urbanization and urban sprawl. The interdependence of
environmental and economic issues is the focus of theories like the world-system theory and the
Gaia hypothesis. More disorder and uncertainty exist in the world today than at any other time in
history. Our present is shaped by our fears about the future. We should prepare for these
scenarios if we wish to live in a safe world right now.

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1. Identify the major global issues and challenges facing humanity in the 21th century.
Identify the factors (reasons) for the various contemporary global problems of our
world. Discuss the role global citizens should play in offsetting such global
challenges.
Major global issues and challenges are a matter of public concern worldwide. It's matters of
economics, environmental, social and political concerns that affect the whole world as a
community. These issues disrupt the natural framework of humanity, disturbing economic and
social progress.

Major global challenges affecting humanity in the twenty-first century

This list of global issues presents problems or phenomena affecting people around the world.

➢ Biodiversity loss and species extinction :biodiversity loss includes the world wide extinction
of different species, as well as the local reduction or loss of species in a certain habitat, resulting
in a loss of biological diversity.

It's caused by five primary drivers

 Habitat loss  Overexploitation  Climate change associated with

global warming

 Invasive species  Pollution

➢ Marine ecosystem deterioration: is where the marine environment or particular ecosystem

degrades to a point where it's unable to support the animal and plant life that would usually
reside there. Pollution, logging, dredging, draining of wetlands and coastal development are all
factors to marine habitat destruction.

➢ The hunger crisis and war : in many countries conflict can cause food shortage and the
severe disruption of economic activities, threatening the means of survival of entire populations.
Food insecurity in turn can spark, intensify, or perpetuate violent conflicts.

➢Climate change: climate change encompasses global warming, but refers to the broader range
of changes that are happening to our planet.

Its long term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but also
human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of
fossil fuels(like coal, oil and gas),which produces heat -trapping gases.

➢Air pollution: air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the
health of humans ,animals and plants.

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It's contamination of air due to the presences in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of
humans and other living things, or cause damage to the climate or to materials.

➢ Globalization and geopolitics; globalization and geopolitics is concerned with the growth of
transnational corporate power against the backdrop of the decline of west and struggle by non-
western states to challenge and overcome domination of the rest of the world by the west.

➢ Global health; global health emphasizes transnational health issues, determinants, and
solutions; involves many disciplines within and beyond the health sciences and promotes
interdisciplinary collaboration. Heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and other non-
communicable diseases account for 70 percent of all deaths worldwide, according to the WHO.

➢Deforestation; deforestation is purposeful clearing of forested land .throughout history and

into modern Times , forests have been razed to make space for agricultural and animal
grazing ,and to obtain wood for fuel , manufacturing and construction. Deforestation has greatly
altered landscapes around the world and can cause climate change, deserting, soil erosion, fewer
crops, and flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

➢Threat of terrorism:- There are various gov’t funded, the rich funded or public funded
terrorist groups which seek to change the world international system.

➢Covid:- These is a disease caused by a virus called sars corona virus. It was a pandemic
disease that transmits through air. Its wave has been stopped for six monthes it has started to
become a pandemic again at this time.

➢The unregulated development of new technology: technology is a critical component in

making companies more secure. Unfortunately, as tools to protect and support businesses evolve
so to do the methods those criminals to hack into valuable data stores and systems. The impact
of technology includes physical inactivity and obesity, poor sleep quality, social obesity, and
social issues, such as social incompatibility and anxiety.

➢ Armed conflicts: means devastating loss of civilian life ,massive displacement and violation
of human right and international law.

➢Epidemics; widespread occurrence of an infectious diseases in a community at a particular

time.

➢ Human migration; refers to situation where person actively search for employment but is
unable to find work.

➢ Unemployment Ethiopian unemployment rate for 2021 was 3.69%, a 0.46% increase from
2020.

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Factors for the various contemporary global problems

Global problems may be result of multidirectional causes that erupt suddenly from below or fall
without warning from above, or both at the same time. Some factors (reasons) for the various
contemporary global problems of our world include;

➢Irrational natural resource management ➢ Unpredictable weather patterns

➢ Expansive character of the current hydrocarbon based ➢ Rising of sea levels

economy

➢ The geopolitical standoff of superpowers possessing ➢Destruction of habitat and

weapons of mass destruction biodiversity

➢Population growth ➢ Infectious diseases

➢ Pressure on the ecosystems ➢ Energy use or energy insecurity

➢Pollution ➢ Greenhouse gases

➢Uncontrolled production and consumption ➢ Irresponsible human activity

Almost every global issue has multiple ethnic, social, political, and economic perspectives
attached to it. It is the responsibility of global citizens to understand these different perspectives
and promote problem solving consensus among the different perspective and building of
common ground solutions.

Roles global citizen should play in offsetting global challenges include;

➢Viewing the problems of our neighborhood as problem of our own

➢Protect the principle of cultural diversity

➢ Responsibility to understand one's own perspective and those of others

➢ Work cohesively with neighbor to offset the existing disadvantage

➢Lend a hand to those who have been victimized by undesirable ideologies

➢Encompass all people

➢Appreciating our place and place of others

➢Leverage the power of government, artists, NGO, corporation and civil society with one
common goal to end extreme poverty.

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2. In which part of the world do you think are such problems as terrorism, weapons
proliferation, inequality, poverty, climate change and cultural conflicts so rampant?
Why? And who would you blame for this?
We see the number of deaths, vulnerability, sacrifice, damage, drought, violence, from terrorism
and the above crucial problems. Around 97% of it is occurred in the Middle East, Africa, or
South Asia.

→ WHY? What is the reason behind global problems?

Terrorism is defined by many as a global security problem characterized using violence in the
form of hostage taking, bombing, hijacking and other indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets.
Terrorism is rampant mostly in the above area is due to the following factors;

 Socio-economic cause (poverty in the sense of economic and political isolation, feelings
of hopelessness, violations of human rights, rights, and the lack of democracy provides
provide fertile breeding ground for terrorism)

 Political cause (legitimate grievances and the failure of governments to adequately

address these problems often foment terrorism.

Moreover, the lack of democracy, and widespread and systematic violations of human rights
contributes to the rise of terrorism) and psychological cause (humiliation is another factor
conducive to the use of terrorism.

Climate change defined as gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our
planet over approximately 30 years. Climate change poses numerous and harsh challenges for
sustainable development and its effects are be felt in all regions of the globe, although the
intensity of exposure varies. Degree of vulnerability varies even more with developing countries
and the poor which have contributed the least to global warming but are suffering the most.

Reason for the cause of climate change is that;

 Generating power:- Generating electric city and heat by burning fossil fuels causes a
large chunk of global emissions.

 Manufacturing goods by cutting forests

 Using transportation

Weapons proliferation is defined as rapid or prolonged increases in the development and

inventory of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons technology, or missile material to countries that
do not already possess them. The reason for weapons proliferation is;

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 Military Burden Sharing: Reluctant to engage in direct military confrontation, both

superpowers provided weapons, technical assistance, and arms production technologies
to their allies so that they could defend themselves An example of this was the Nixon
Doctrine, which supported weapons transfers to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and other
Asian countries.

 Regional Balance of Power: Arms sales are often defended on the grounds that such
transfers contribute to regional stability and diminish the likelihood of war.

 Economies of Scale: Many countries export weapons to obtain resources to finance the
development and production of more advanced weapons. Resources to finance the
development and production of more advanced weapons.

 Self-Reliance: Many countries develop their own weapons to preserve or enhance their
independence.

 Economic Factors: Much of the global weapons trade is motivated by financial

considerations. Ethnic Conflicts:

Ethnic conflicts generate demand for weapons transfers. Authoritarian Regimes: Governments
that rule without the consent of the people generally rely on military force to exercise control.

Inequality and Poverty; Persistent inequality and enduring poverty challenge beliefs in the
equality of opportunity and the possibility of upward mobility. Eventually, the legitimacy of the
economic system and political and social institutions are challenged. Extreme inequality
perpetuates poverty and the concentration of economic and political power and reduces
economic efficiency.

The reason for inequality and poverty is;

 Discourages the political participation of poor people, which, in turn, diminishes their
access to education, health care, and other services that contribute to economic growth
and development

 Prevents the building and proper functioning of impartial institutions and observance of
the rule of law

 Enables the wealthy to refuse to compromise politically or economically, which further

weakens poor societies in a global society that requires relatively fast responses to
economic developments.

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→Who is to be u blamed for all this?

Those above problems are global issues but we saw it on the majority part only. Even if its
consequence is on developing country like south Asia and Africa or generally middle east
country frankly the cause of this problem mostly emanate from developed country like US,
EUROPE, CHINA and etc because those developed country have many factory that release
enormous amount of toxic gas that affected climate change; much production of technology
resulted in war; unbalanced power in the country results in some country to have outstanding
power may be it is private or group resulting in terrorism.

However, many people across the world lack access to a steady, clean electricity supply and
instead use high-emission diesel generators to generate electricity. You can allocate these
emissions to the people using the generators, but it is hard to say they are to blame for them.

3. What environmental problems is our globe currently suffering from? Discuss why
contemporary global environmental challenges are different from those humanity had
faced earlier.

What is environmental problem?

The term Global environmental problems refer to how human behavior particularly the burning
of fossil fuels and extensive deforestation affect the climate. These actions result in significant
emissions of greenhouse gases the most significant of which is carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere. Changes to the climate are mostly linked to this warming. There are also other
problems in addition to the one mentioned above.

Characteristics of the global environmental problems.

 Many of these problems involve the use of common pool resources which include air,
water, ocean and forests that are not owned by a single entity.

 Human and environmental impacts of the problems transcend the borders of any one
country.

 They require international cooperation to resolve them.

With what environmental problem our world is suffering from?

 Pollution

There are 7 key types of pollution – air, water, soil, noise, radioactive, light and thermal and
these are primary causes that affect our environment in many ways. All these types of pollution
are interlinked and influence each other. Therefore we need to tackle all of them together.

 Soil Degradation

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Globally, food security depends on the factor whether or not soils are in good condition to
produce crops. According to UN estimates, about 12 million hectares of farmland a year get
seriously degraded.

Soils get damaged due to many reasons. Such reasons include erosion, overgrazing,
overexposure to pollutants, monoculture planting, soil compaction, land-use conversion and
many more.

 Global Warming

Climate changes like global warming are the result of human practices like the emission of
greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the oceans and the earth’
surface causing natural disasters that include flooding, melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels
and also unnatural patterns of precipitation such as flash floods, hurricanes, wildfires, drought,
excessive snow or desertification.

 Overpopulation

The population of the planet is reaching unsustainable levels as it faces a shortage of resources
like water, fuel and food. Population explosion in less developed and developing countries is
straining the already scarce resources. It is one of the crucial current environmental problems.

 Natural Resource Depletion

Another crucial current environmental problem is the depletion of Natural resources. We,
humans, use so many natural resources that it would need almost 1.5 Earths to cover all our
needs. It is caused due to massive industrialization in Asian countries like India and China.
Increased use of natural resources leads to a number of other environmental issues, such as
industrialization, population growth and air pollution.

 Generating Unsustainable Waste

The huge production of waste due to our hyper consumption is a major threat to the environment.
As per the study, the average person produces 4.3 pounds of waste per day, and the US alone
accounting for 220 million tons a year.

This hyper consumption results in non-biodegradable trash in the form of plastic packaging,
toxic e-waste, and harmful chemicals that leach into our waterways.

 Waste Disposal

The overconsumption of resources and the creation of plastics are creating a global crisis of
waste disposal. Developed countries are notorious for producing an excessive amount of waste or
garbage and dumping their waste in the oceans and less developed countries.

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 Deforestation

Our forests are natural sinks of carbon dioxide and produce fresh oxygen, as well as helps in
regulating temperature and rainfall. At present, forests cover 30% of the land, but every year tree
cover is lost, amounting to the country of Panama due to the growing population demand for
more food, shelter and cloth.

 Polar Ice Caps

The issue of the melting of polar ice caps is a contentious one. Although NASA studies have
shown that the amount of ice in Antarctica is increasing, however, this increase is only one-third
of what is being lost in the Arctic. Over time, the melting of polar ice caps could lead to
extensive flooding, contamination of drinking water and major changes in ecosystems.

 Loss of Biodiversity

Human activity is leading to the extinction of species and habitats and loss of biodiversity.
Ecosystems, which took millions of years to perfect, are in danger when any species population
is decimating.

 Climate Change

Climate change is yet another environmental problem that has surfaced in the last couple of
decades. It occurs due to the rise in global warming, which happens due to the increase in
temperature of the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and the release of harmful gases by
industries.

Climate change has various harmful effects but not limited to the melting of polar ice, change in
seasons, occurrence of new diseases, frequent occurrence of floods and change in overall
weather scenario.

 Ocean Acidification

It is a direct impact of excessive production of CO2. 25% of total atmospheric CO2 is produced
by humans. The ocean acidity has increased by the last 250 years, but by 2100, it may shoot up
by 150%. The main impact is on shellfish and plankton in the same way as human osteoporosis.

 The Nitrogen Cycle

We often ignore the effects of the use of nitrogen by humans. Nitrogen is a crucial component of
all life. Problems occur when the nitrogen cycle is not balanced.

Excess levels of nitrogen in water can hamper marine ecosystems, through overstimulation of
plant and algae growth. The problem can also occur during nitrification and denitrification.

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Nitrous oxide (N2O) can be formed when the chemical process is not completed. N2O is a potent
greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

 Ozone Layer Depletion

The ozone layer is an invisible layer of protection around the planet that protects us from the
sun’s harmful rays. The depletion of the crucial Ozone layer of the atmosphere is attributed to
pollution caused by Chlorine and Bromide found in Chloro-fluoro carbons (CFCs). Once these
toxic gases reach the upper atmosphere, they create a hole in the ozone layer, the biggest of
which is above the Antarctic. This is one of the most important current environmental problems.

 Acid Rain

Acid rain occurs due to the presence of certain pollutants in the atmosphere. Acid rain can be
caused due to combustion of fossil fuels or erupting volcanoes or rotting vegetation which
releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere.

Acid rain is a known environmental problem that can have a serious effect on human health,
wildlife and aquatic species.

 Water Pollution

Clean drinking water is becoming a rare commodity. Water is becoming an economic and
political issue as the human population fights for this resource.

 Overfishing

Overfishing affects natural ecosystems severely and leads to an imbalance of ocean life. Around
63% of global fish stocks are estimated to be overfished. Overfishing caused fishing fleets to
migrate to new waters that would further deplete the fish stocks.

Moreover, it has negative effects on coastal communities that rely on fishing to support their
living.

 Urban Sprawl

Urban sprawl refers to the migration of population from high-density urban areas to low-density
rural areas, which results in the spreading of the city over more and more rural land. Urban
sprawl results in land degradation, increased traffic, environmental issues and health issues. The
ever-growing demand for land displaces the natural environment consisting of flora and fauna,
instead of being replaced.

 Public Health Issues

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The current environmental problems pose a lot of risk to the health of humans and animals. Dirty
water is the biggest health risk in the world and poses a threat to the quality of life and public
health.

 Genetic Engineering

Genetic modification of food using biotechnology is called genetic engineering. Genetic

modification of food results in increased toxins and diseases as genes from an allergic plant can
transfer to the target plant. Genetically modified crops can cause serious environmental problems
as an engineered gene may prove toxic to wildlife.

Why contemporary global environmental challenges are different from those humanity had
faced earlier?
The multiplication and deepening of environmental problems; Global warming, toxic waste,
water and air pollution, acid rain, and shrinking energy supplies are frightening challenges that
may threaten our future if we do not face up to them.

Global environmental challenges, such as impacts of climate change, loss of biodiversity, over-
use of natural resources and environmental and health issues, are critically linked to issues of
poverty and the sustainability of ecosystems, and consequently, issues of resource security and
political stability.

4. Discuss the systematic relationship between global inequality and global poverty.
Discuss the impact of global inequality and global poverty on global conflict/
cooperation and peace/war.

Relationship between global inequality and poverty

Inequalities between countries influence poverty levels because countries do not exist in
isolation; since the colonial era they have become increasingly connected through various
economic, political and social ties, which have a significant effect on development in the
developing world. Since 1500, poverty is far more directly linked to colonial rule and the process
of creating a world economy: As time passed, the world economy came to play a much greater
causal role in world poverty, influencing both available resources and systems of distribution.
This only intensified after the Second World War, as the Cold War and an expanding world
economy involved more and more nations. A fundamental feature of the world economy is that
some countries benefit from a substantial economic, political and military dominance over other
countries. This structural inequality has a significant impact on poverty levels around the world.

Global inequality affects poverty in two ways. The first and principal channel is through wealth
flowing from those countries in peripheral positions in the international system to those in the
core, which influences the amount of resources that are available to a country. The second is the

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manner in which countries in peripheral positions are likely to experience more unequal
distribution of resources within the country, higher corruption and instability, greater
vulnerability to shocks and weaker domestic institutions.

In addition to influencing resource availability in developing countries, structural inequality

between countries also has an impact on domestic inequality and governance in developing
countries. In general, the way in which economies of periphery countries have centred on
transferring natural resources to industrialised nations has meant that they are based on land-
intensive production. This has led to the creation of an elite land-owning class in the periphery
countries, and has resulted in a highly unequal distribution of resources in these countries.
Furthermore, governance and institutions in such countries is worse, which is further linked to
the broader international context. Pogge highlights the way in which the international system
recognises any group that comes to power in a national territory as having the legal rights to sell
the countries' natural resources internationally, regardless of the means through which the group
came to power or how repressive this group may be (he terms this ‘the international resource
privilege’). These factors, combined with the power vacuum that emerged in many developing
countries in the wake of colonial rule, have provided strong incentives for coups, civil wars, high
levels of corruption and authoritarianism, resulting in bad governance and weak institutions in
periphery countries.

When we mention poverty, global inequality affects different groups: -

Society poverty

Ultimately, poverty is a major cause of social tensions and threatens to divide a nation because of
income inequality. This occurs when the wealth of a country is poorly distributed among its
citizens—when a tiny minority has a majority of the money. Wealthy or developed countries
maintain stability because of the presence of a middle class. However, even Western countries
are gradually losing their middle class. As a result, there have been an increased number of riots
and clashes. For society, poverty is an extremely dangerous factor that can destabilize an entire
country. The Arab Spring is a great example of how revolts can start because of few job
opportunities and high poverty levels.

Child Poverty

The number of children affected by poverty has been increasing. Children are those with the least
amount choice and ability to change their circumstances. There is very little they cannot do to
help their families, nor should they have to. Usually by the age of six they can be enrolled in
child labor. Nearly all the potential effects of poverty impact the lives of children—poor
infrastructure, unemployment, malnutrition, domestic violence, child labor, and disease.
Unemployment and low incomes create an environment where children are unable to attend
school. Children must often work to provide an income for their family. As for children who are

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able to go to school, many fail to see how hard work can improve their lives as they see their
parents struggle at everyday tasks.

Therefore, based on the arguments made in this section on the relationship between international
inequality and poverty, countries in more peripheral positions in the international system to
experience higher levels of poverty than countries in more central positions.

Impact of global inequality and poverty on global conflict, cooperation, peace and war
Impact on conflict

For the past 10–15 years, conflict research has focused on group inequality—that is, systemic
inequality between identity groups, rather than on inequality between individuals. From a
conflict-research perspective, the most interesting groups to examine are often those defined by
religion, ethnicity, or language. In many countries such groups are very unequal in terms of
political power, wealth, and social status. Not all inequalities between groups are problematic. In
many countries, everyone under the age of 18 is excluded from participating in elections. This
form of group inequality is widely accepted. Generation-based inequality of this kind seldom
leads to serious armed conflict, but from time to time it contributes to mobilizing support for
political change. In Norway, for instance, young people are demanding that 16-year-olds get the
right to vote. The situation is more serious when ethnic or religious affiliation determines access
to social, economic, or political goods.

Research has shown that such identity group inequality is an important cause of armed conflict.
This is especially the case when the relative position of identity groups is changed—for instance,
if a group that has had access to political power is suddenly excluded from political participation.
There is a significantly higher risk of conflict in states that exclude ethnic groups from political
power when those groups have previously had the opportunity to participate in political
processes.

Inequality and Conflict As noted earlier, conflict can range from low intensity simmering
resentment, expressed in words and speeches, through mob violence of one communal group
against another, to full-fledged civil war with organized armed combatants, which sometimes
leads to genocide. It seems to be generally accepted that poverty and inequality breed conflict.
However, while in a general sense it seems plausible that poverty can create the desperation that
fuels conflict, or inequality can foster resentment that stokes conflict, the precise nature of the
causal linkages are not quite so evident. There are poor societies that are remarkably peaceful,
and richer societies that are mired in violence. The counter examples of Northern Ireland or the
Balkans are a useful antidote to the view that high incomes are necessarily a deterrent to conflict.
Moreover, within countries it does not seem that the wealthier areas are any less immune from
low intensity communal violence.

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Impact on disturbance and war

Poverty on terrorism is not as straightforward as the media often perceives it to be. As

globalization fuels poverty for developing countries, Poverty fuels terrorism by creating a state
of misery and frustration that pushes people to join terrorist organizations. But more research
shows, it is more complicated. Due to globalization terrorists come from poor countries with
high unemployment, and terrorist organizations often provide higher salaries than other jobs. But
terrorism may not be a direct effect of poverty. Studies show that underdeveloped countries with
weak governments, fragile institutions, and limited civil rights are a great environment to nurture
the production of terrorist activity. Great power countries often involve in Countries undergoing
difficult transitions—i.e., from authoritarian to democratic regime—often encounter political
instability with the blurring of certain rules and laws.

5. What does the term clash of cultures or civilizations mean? Discuss the different
cultural/ civilization fault lines that are currently arguably being understood as clashing to
one another? Discuss the impact of cultural/ civilization clash on global conflict cooperation
and peace/ war?
What is Clash of Civilizations?
The clash of civilizations thesis suggests that states belonging to different civilizations are more
likely to become involved in conflict with one another. The Clash of Civilizations is a thesis that
people's cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post– Cold
War world. A situation in which the diverging attitudes, morals, opinions, or customs of two
dissimilar cultures or subcultures are revealed. This may occur, for example, when people in
different professions, such as academics and business people, collaborate on a project. See also
culture conflict; culture shock. Clash of civilizations is a political myth that, to a large extent, has
successfully turned itself into a self-fulfilled prophecy."

The concept was first used by Samuel Huntington (1927–2008) in a 1993 Foreign Affairs article.
He argued that, in the context of the end of the Cold War, conflict in international relations
increasingly would be due to clashes between civilizations rather than to ideology or economic
interests. Huntington conceived of civilizations as the highest level of cultural grouping,
identified by features such as language, history, or religion. He identified eight such civilizations
—Western, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic‐Orthodox, Latin American, and African
—and predicted that conflict was most likely on the borders between civilizations.

In brief, the clash of civilizations is an inevitable matter. It existed in the past, exists now and
will remain until the clash ends shortly before the Hour, since it does not come except upon the
worst of creation.

Why civilizations will clash?

Huntington offers six explanations for why civilizations will clash:

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1. Differences among civilizations are too basic in that civilizations are differentiated from
each other by history, language, culture, tradition, and, most importantly, religion. These
fundamental differences are the product of centuries and the foundations of different
civilizations, meaning they will not be gone soon.
2. The world is becoming a smaller place. As a result, interactions across the world are
increasing, which intensify "civilization consciousness" and the awareness of differences
between civilizations and commonalities within civilizations.
3. Due to economic modernization and social change, people are separated from
longstanding local identities. Instead, religion has replaced this gap, which provides a
basis for identity and commitment that transcends national boundaries and unites
civilizations.
4. The growth of civilization-consciousness is enhanced by the dual role of the West. On the
one hand, the West is at a peak of power. At the same time, a return-to-the-roots
phenomenon is occurring among non-Western civilizations. A West at the peak of its
power confronts non-Western countries that increasingly have the desire, the will and the
resources to shape the world in non-Western ways.
5. Cultural characteristics and differences are less mutable and hence less easily
compromised and resolved than political and economic ones.
6. Economic regionalism is increasing. Successful economic regionalism will reinforce
civilization-consciousness. Economic regionalism may succeed only when it is rooted in
a common civilization.

Cultural/civilization fault lines

There are many cultural and civilization fault lines that are currently being understood as
clashing with one another. Some examples include:
1. East vs West: There has often been tension between Eastern and Western cultures,
particularly in terms of differences in values, beliefs, and ways of life.
2. Islam vs the West: There has been a long history of tension between the Islamic world and
the Western world, and this has been exacerbated by events such as the 9/11 attacks and the wars
in Iraq and Afghanistan.
3. Democracy vs autocracy: There is often tension between democratic and autocratic regimes,
with democracies advocating for political freedom and human rights, while autocracies often
prioritize stability and control.
4. North vs South: There are often tensions between developed countries in the Northern
Hemisphere and developing countries in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in terms of
economic inequality and the distribution of resources.
5. Religious differences: There have been conflicts between different religious groups
throughout history, and this continues to be a source of tension in many parts of the world today.

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To sum up, these cultural and civilization fault lines can lead to conflict and tension between
different groups, and they require ongoing efforts to address and resolve.

Impact of cultural/civilizational clash on global conflict/cooperation and peace/war.

➢ The Clash of Civilizations is a thesis that people's cultural and religious identities will be the
primary source of conflict in the post–Cold War world. The American political scientist Samuel
P. Huntington argued that future wars would be fought not between countries, but between
cultures.

➢ Within a given society, culture conflict emerges when different social groups have different
cultural values and beliefs, and the conflict that arises from said differences results in violence or
crime.

➢ There are organizations that directly affect global peace, cooperation, and development. They
can provide money and aid in times of need and help the countries' people to keep tempers from
flaring.

➢ The culture clash corresponds to a cultural disagreement about a certain situation where there
are conflicting values and beliefs and ingrained on a theme. ➢ Organizations influence peace by
writing about peace, and endorsing peace. Many organizations around the world promote many
good things.

➢ Organizations also use social media to promote global peace, cooperation, and development.

➢ There are bad results from conflicts among different groups or nations, such as wars, terrorist
attacks, urban riots, and other problems. But mostly we can see that we have more profits from
cooperation than problems with conflicts.

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Conclusion
War, Disease, Famine and Death. All of us are regularly bombarded with news and counter-news
about these very big and dangerous things, and the challenges of making this world safer,
healthier, and more just. We know that these challenges can feel overwhelming. Even though
you want to help, where should you start? Which challenge is the most urgent? Can one person
really make that much difference? But it doesn’t have to be that confusing or stressful.

As a global citizen, we have power. Both political and personal power. Donate your time to
sustainable, community-led projects, advocate for equal rights, support progressive businesses
who are climate conscious, vote for politicians who are actively trying to make the world fairer
and cleaner. World politics faces a series of global problems, some of which seem to mutually
affect and exacerbate each other. Chief among them are climate change, terrorism, migration and
refugee flows, and the global recession of democracy.

Today, people are starting to become active participants in the fight against global issues and as a
result, progress is being made. However, there are still individuals unaware of pressing issues
around them. One way of bringing these people up-to-date would be through the use of essays or
research.

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REFERENCES
Kaplinsky 2005; De boer et al. 2012

Charlton and Stiglitz 2005; KHOR 2005

Acemoglu, D. Johnson and Robinson, J.A. (2012), WHY NATIONS FAIL (London: Profile
books).

Beaudoin S.M. (2007), POVERTY IN WORLD HISTORY (London: Routledge).

www.studico.com

Knowledge.instead.edu

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