Chapter 16
Conflict Around the World
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The Global Context: Conflict In A Changing
World
Sociological Theories Of Conflict And War
Causes Of War
Chapter 16
Conflict Around the World
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Social Problems Associated With War And
Militarism
Conflict In A Post-cold War Era
Strategies For Action: In Search Of Global
Peace
Global Conflict and War
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Never in recorded history has there been a
time when conflict didn’t exist.
In 2000, conflict existed in about 40 different
locations in the world.
War and the Development of
Civilization
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War resulted in small groups and villages
becoming incorporated into larger political
chiefdoms.
Centuries of war between chiefdoms
culminated in the development of the state.
U.S. Military Spending
$300 billion in 2001 includes expenditures for:
 salaries of military personnel
 research and development
 weapons
 veterans’ benefits
 other defense-related expenses
Structural-Functionalist
Perspective
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Gives members a “common cause” and a
common enemy.
In short term, war increases employment and
stimulates economy.
Inspires developments that are useful to
civilians.
Conflict Perspective on War
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War is the result of antagonisms that emerge
when two or more groups struggle for control of
resources.
War benefits corporate, military, and political
elites.
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
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Meanings and definitions influence attitudes
and behaviors regarding conflict and war.
Attitudes and behaviors that support war
develop in childhood.
Most world governments preach peace through
strength, rather than strength through peace.
Causes of War
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Conflict over Land and Other Natural
Resources
Conflict over Values and Ideologies
Racial and Ethnic Hostilities
Defense against Hostile Attacks
Revolution
Nationalism
Conflict over Values and Ideologies
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World War II was largely a war over
democracy versus fascism.
Cold War largely involved conflict over
capitalism versus communism.
Wars over differing religious beliefs have led to
some of the worst episodes of bloodshed in
hiistory.
Americans Killed in Wars:
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over 53,000 in WWI
292,000 in WWII,
34,000 in Korea
47,000 in Vietnam
Social Problems of War:
Death and Disability
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More than a quarter of a million people
worldwide have been disabled by landmines.
War depletes labor force, creates orphans and
single-parent families, and burdens taxpayers
who must pay for the care of orphans and
disabled war veterans.
Social Problems of War:
Women and Children
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Before and during WWII, the Japanese military
forced 100,000 to 200,000 women and girls
into prostitution as military “comfort women”.
Albanian women have been raped by Serbian
and Yugoslavian soldiers.
Refugee women and female children are
vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
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Symptoms include recurring nightmares,
flashbacks, poor concentration.
Associated with family violence, alcoholism,
divorce, and suicide.
Estimate 30% of male veterans of the Vietnam
war have experienced PTSD, and about 15%
continue to experience it.
Destruction of the Environment
Vietnam:
 13 million tons of bombs left 25 million bomb
craters.
 19 million gallons of herbicides were spread
over the countryside.
 80% of Vietnam's forests and swamplands
were destroyed by bulldozing or bombing.
The Gulf War
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6,000 bombs were dropped.
Iraqi troops set 650 oil wells on fire.
6-8 million barrels of oil were spilled into the
Gulf waters.
Terrorism on the Increase
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Acts of terrorism have increased in recent
years with a total of 392 in 1999.
Defensive strategies include strengthening
security.
Offensive strategies include retaliatory raids
group infiltration, and preemptive strikes.
Terrorism: Difficult to Combat
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Hackers illegally gain access to classified
information on computers.
Internet allows groups to coordinate efforts.
Globalization provides international markets
where terrorists can purchase explosives,
guns, electronic equipment, etc.
World Government
Three trends that may lead to world government:
 Global cooperation in environmental issues.
 Wealthy countries have supported nations in
need.
 International criminal court has power to
condemn those found guilty of war and crimes
against humanity.