It is almost a characteristic of modern society that when progress takes place, a myriad of issues with regard to the purpose, the means as well as the implications of that progress would emerge. One such means in which progress has taken place is that of increased interaction between countries. The tendency for such activity is merely due to the fact that countries have realised the importance of interdependence; such interconnectedness between countries is a consequence of globalisation. However, alongside the successes of the interconnectedness between countries, we have undoubtedly experienced downturns; the adverse effects of globalisation are simply ubiquitous. International challenges and difficulties faced in the past have grown into hardships that haunt leaders and many people on a daily basis. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that increased interaction between countries has also helped to diminish certain problems that plague an array of countries. Consequently, it is my stand that increased interaction between countries has amplified, yet diminished, certain world problems.
One of the foreseen and inevitable results of increased interaction between countries is that of the amplification of conflicts between nations. Although ironic, globalisation and the interconnectedness of countries have indeed resulted in increased division between nations and societies. One such conflict is that of power struggles. As countries tend to interact, they tend to form allies and enemies. In the late 19th century, the effects of the Industrial Revolution was omnipresent; it was clear that industrialisation of economies was necessary for the development of countries. However, such a noble act of improving the quality of life of citizens within countries started to become a competition. Countries attempted to outdo each other as they realised the strength and weaknesses of other countries via interaction. Tension built up and alliances were made. Tension was so high that the assassination of the Austria-Hungarian prince resulted in a devastating war that involved the majority of countries in Europe- World War 1. Every country wanted to be dominant and have a say in international politics. Their economy had to be the best. It was observed that such international competition and the alliance among a select group of people resulted in forms of elitism; such were the effects of increased interaction. Consequently, tension was amplified; war was created. The divisions in the world were amplified by increased interaction between countries.
Still related to the topic of politics, the division between countries is amplified due to the spread of varied ideologies via increased interaction between countries. On the international stage, what nations care about is power. From North Korea’s missile trials to Beijing’s grand staging of the 2008 Olympics, there are a plethora of ways in which countries make their presence felt. The stiff nature of competition in the world and the complicated dynamics that play out in relationships between countries require countries to assert themselves and gain ascendancy in order to have power to bring out situations that are favourable to their interests. In the late 1900s, one such mode of assertion was via the spread of ideologies. Immediately after World War 2, there was an immense competition between the United States of America (USA) and former USSR to spread their ideologies of democracy alongside capitalism and communism respectively. Via the increased interaction between these two superpowers and other countries, several countries were influenced to take up the various ideologies. Most of Eastern Europe was communist; North Korea and North Vietnam favoured communism as well. Both Korea and Vietnam were split up such that two exclusive societies were created to oppose each other in every way possible. The Cold War was inevitable. Nuclear weapons were built; an arms race was initiated. Such increased tensions based on the reality of mutually assured destruction were merely due to conflicting ideologies and increased interaction between countries. Again, increased interaction between countries resulted in increased divisions in the world; the adverse relationship between countries were amplified.
Increased interaction between countries has also resulted in the strengthening of far-reaching effects of terrorism. Transnational terrorism prospers based on the interconnectedness of our international society. Acts of terrorism are carried out for the spread of messages to a large population, especially via the media. For instance, the main aim of terrorism by Al-Qaeda, a Muslim extremist group, is to force US troops out of all Muslim States, with special reference towards Iraq and Afghanistan. Via the Bali and London bombing, they have incontrovertibly been successful in striking fear within the hearts of the general international populace and made the leaders of countries wary of groups from other countries. Such terrorism has consequently resulted in increased tensions as certain countries ally one another to stereotype other countries as the birthplace of terrorism; this was the main reason why America attacked Afghanistan and Iraq. As such, it can be said that increased interaction allowed the flourishing of transnational terrorism that has resulted in tensions and enemies made between countries.
Such an action has had far-reaching effects. For instance, the authoritative, military regime in Iraq by US soldiers has been utterly counter-developmental and detrimental to the survival and progress of Iraq. This has consequently led to the exacerbation of the situation as people not only suffer from overt violence but from destitution and increasing crime rates as well. The mere ability of certain countries to dominate over other countries has resulted in further inequalities and counter-productivity. The world thus cannot progress as a whole.
Other than that, the increased interaction between countries has resulted in income inequality. The dominant players in the international world economy tend to overexploit the weaker participants. Even China has resorted to expanding their market to Africa; they intend to take advantage of the labour force and resources present. Indeed, Africa will benefit from trade with China; however, China will reap the lion’s share of benefits. At the same time, the USA exploits the labour market in China. The entire world realises that the cost of labour in China is extremely low. Undeniably, this has benefitted the entire world. Increased interaction between China and the rest of the world has benefitted all active participants in the macroeconomy at large. However, looking at the micro-level, we face a problem that has been greatly amplified by such increased interaction-income inequality. Most labourers in China earn less than US$300 a month. In Singapore, the Gross Domestic Product is as high as US$32,000 annually. Within countries themselves, there is the presence of inequality which can simply be measured by the Gini coefficient. Throughout the entire world, due to our complex and extensively interconnected economies, the rich 20 per cent of the world have possession of 80 per cent of the world’s resources. The poorest 50 per cent of our international population only has access to 1 per cent of the world’s resources. As interaction increases, such a pressing problem will continue to grow exponentially as the tune of capitalism is promoted.
Nevertheless, increased interaction has also helped to diminish world problems. Via increased interaction, there was the initiation of the League of Nations- the brainchild of Woodrow Wilson. However, it failed terribly to effectively address world issues; this problem ended off with World War 2. Nevertheless, such intense interaction between countries, especially during World War 2 allowed us to appreciate world problems better. Consequently, the United Nations (UN), as an international body to unite nations and allow constructive interaction, was proposed. The UN was much more effective than its predecessor mainly due to the efforts between countries to increase their interaction with one another. Consequently, the UN was a success and its activities have been a great testament to its progress. For instance, it sent down peacekeeping troops to countries affected by the 2004 tsunami so that the problem was not amplified and the situation could be improved quickly. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1991, coalition forces were sent to the Middle East as well. Such efforts by the UN has made our world today a better place for tomorrow’s world by promoting healthy interdependence between countries and reducing tensions and adverse relationships between societies.
Besides that, increased interaction between countries has also improved racial and religious harmony. As countries attempt to forge ties with one another, there is the interaction between the people of those countries. For instance, the Southeast Asian countries have come up with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a form of regional, multilateral diplomacy. One of its stated aims is to promote cultural awareness of the various ethnic groups and countries; this is often done through overseas educational trips organised by the Ministry of Education. International events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics also are a platform for increased interaction between countries; at the same time, there is religious and racial appreciation as well. Consequently, interactions between countries have assisted in the diminution of racism and other forms of dehumanisation which is detrimental to the very basic fabric of society.
In conclusion, increased interaction has amplified various problems. However, they have also successfully reduced and diminished certain problems as well. Whatever the case may be, we have to accept the fact that globalisation and its effects have contributed more towards the amplification rather than the diminution of problems. As members of the international society, it is our responsibility to reduce the amplification of world problems to ensure sustainable development and a better place for future generations to live in. We should aim to build a world in which the future of civilisation does not experience the aftermath of our selfish actions which consequently results in the exacerbation of world problems.
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