A World Without Conflict

From a young age, the idea of world peace has been something wished for as an attainable goal through diplomacy. However, depending on the way you look at the world and the people in it, it can be varied in its plausibility. From the standpoint of liberalism or positive constructivism, the world's powers have more to gain by working together to eliminate power and grow powerful together. However, from a realist standpoint or even using the more negative aspects of constructivism, regardless of how well nations work together it ultimately lies in human nature how we will behave. History has shown that power and influence will outweigh cooperation in the average individual. Unfortunately, this leads to the belief that a world without conflict cannot exist as competition creates a global environment where not everyone can be equal.

               Though warfare has undoubtedly changed monumentally over the past 3 decades, and even more so looking at the entire history of human interaction, one basic denominator remains the same: countries who crave more power will do anything they need to do in order to get it. From natural resources such as oil reserves and lumber to important physical features like trading ports and accessible points to trade, countries and other autonomous bodies have gone to war to increase their control or expand, as it is a part of human nature to feel competitive. Though many may argue that humans are hardwired to work together in order to succeed, that rule only applies when you look, talk, or pray the same as the other parties. Suddenly when your goals clash mutual development doesn’t matter anymore and it’s a battle for control. It may be a negative view on humanity and its ultimate purpose, but it is one that all of humanity has proven for hundreds of years.

              Though it is commonly argued that an increase in international trade to create a globalized world will prevent international conflict, that is not necessarily the case. Yes, having countries with interdependent economies will help to reduce conflict, but it is by no means a definite, preventative, action. In the years leading up to World War I, the economies of the world were on a rise and international trade was beginning to take place at a rate which had not been seen before. However, not even this could prevent the Great War. Countries will worry about their own success before being concerned about the well-being of other nations. This creates a dangerous global environment where multiple powers will compete for the spot as a global hegemon. Today, the United States holds its place as the unipolar global hegemon, but many other nations are on the rise and we need to be aware as we transition into a potentially multipolar world.

              In an ideal world, where diplomacy is successful and we can create a world with minimal conflicting economic interests as multi-polarity takes hold, radical idealists still create conflict on grounds of non-economic issues. The question is can we ever create a world that is conflict free when opposing viewpoints will lead to violence as they have for hundreds of years? Considering a violence and conflict free world is an amazing dream to have but unfortunately it is a difficult reality to create. Opposing viewpoints, greed, and a lust for power creates a world where we can never fully avoid conflict.