Our presentation will cover the topic of war, conflicts and other devastating military actions. The main topics of the presentation are:
1.Types of Armed Conflicts
2.The Human Cost of Armed Conflicts
3.Economic Consequences of Armed Conflicts
4.Examples of conflicts
Finally we will summarize our presentation and we are hoping everyone will get something out of it!.
Armed conflicts are situations where the parties involved use armed violence, often to pursue their political, economic, social, or religious interests. These conflicts can vary in scale and nature—from local battles over territory or resources to international wars. Here’s a general description of different types of armed conflicts: International wars are armed conflicts between states usually involving disputes over territories, strategic interests, natural resources, or regional dominance. The largest such conflicts in history include World War II and the Cold War. Civil wars are internal conflicts where two or more groups within a single state fight for control over power, political system change, or independence. An example is the civil war in Syria, which began in 2011.Asymmetric conflicts – Those in which one side has a decisive military advantage over the other. These are often fights between regular armies and irregular fighters (e.g. guerrillas or terrorists). An example is the conflict between the United States and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Ethnic and religious conflicts – Disputes arising from tensions between different ethnic or religious groups that can lead to violent fights. These include, m.in, the wars in the former Yugoslavia or the conflicts in Sudan. Military interventions – Actions of a military nature undertaken by one or more states to support one of the parties to a conflict, usually in the name of protecting human rights, preventing genocide, or protecting national interests. In each of these cases, the consequences of armed conflicts are tragic and range from human casualties to the destruction of infrastructure, the destabilisation of regions, and the long-term social and economic consequences. These conflicts often lead to humanitarian crises, refugees, and difficulties in reconstruction after the fighting ends.
Armed conflicts cause immense suffering and instability globally. Understanding root causes and consequences is vital. This presentation explores the complexities. We will look at impacts and potential solutions.
An example is the civil war in Syria, which began in 2011.Asymmetric conflicts – Those in which one side has a decisive military advantage over the other. These are often fights between regular armies and irregular fighters (e.g. guerrillas or terrorists). An example is the conflict between the United States and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Ethnic and religious conflicts – Disputes arising from tensions between different ethnic or religious groups that can lead to violent fights. These include, m.in, the wars in the former Yugoslavia or the conflicts in Sudan. Military interventions – Actions of a military nature undertaken by one or more states to support one of the parties to a conflict, usually in the name of protecting human rights, preventing genocide, or protecting national interests. In each of these cases, the consequences of armed conflicts are tragic and range from human casualties to the destruction of infrastructure, the destabilisation of regions, and the long-term social and economic consequences. These conflicts often lead to humanitarian crises, refugees, and difficulties in reconstruction after the fighting ends.
Types of Armed Conflicts
Interstate. Conflicts between sovereign states. Often involve border disputes or geopolitical rivalries.
Intrastate. Conflicts within a state. Civil wars or insurgencies are common examples.
Non-state. Conflicts between armed groups. Neither is a state, such as gangs or militias.
The Human Cost of Armed Conflicts
The effects of armed conflicts on civilians are tragic and multifaceted, affecting both physical and mental human well-being. Civilians often become innocent victims of warfare, even if they are not directly involved in the fighting. Here are the main effects that armed conflict can have on civilians:
1. Fatalities and wounded Civilian deaths: As a result of hostilities, many civilians are killed, often due to bombing, artillery shelling, air strikes, landmines, and other inaccurate weapons. In some conflicts, civilians are deliberately targeted, which is a violation of international law. Wounded civilians: Many people are seriously injured as a result of hostilities, often suffering permanent damage to their health, including amputations, burns, damage to internal organs and psychological damage.
2. Damage to property and infrastructure. Destruction of homes and property: War leads to the mass destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and other civilian buildings. As a result of hostilities, people are losing their homes, as well as their basic livelihoods.
Destruction of infrastructure: Armed conflicts result in the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including water, energy, and communications networks, as well as health and education systems. Post-war reconstruction is time-consuming and expensive, making it difficult to return to normality.
3. Increase in the number of refugees and displaced persons. Internal and external refugees: Many civilians are forced to flee the war, seeking refuge in other regions of their country or abroad. They often live in refugee camps, where living conditions are difficult, there is a lack of basic necessities such as food, water, medicines.Internal displacement: People are forced to abandon their homes as a result of hostilities, leading to long-term fragmentation of communities, as well as problems with access to humanitarian aid.
4. Lack of access to basic services. Stopping access to healthcare: The war is leading to the destruction of hospitals, clinics, as well as shortages in access to basic medicines and vaccinations. Many people do not have access to basic medical care, which increases the risk of death from diseases or wounds.Lack of education: Destroying schools and preventing access to education leads to long-lasting negative effects on younger generations. Children and young people lose opportunities to develop and acquire the skills necessary for life in the future.
5. The phenomenon of violence and exploitation of civilians. Sexual violence and exploitation of women and children: Sexual violence in armed conflicts, including rape, kidnapping and slavery, occurs in large numbers, particularly in detention camps.Women and children are particularly vulnerable to this type of violence.
Using civilians as human shields: In some conflicts, civilians are used to protect militants, forced to work at the front, and also to participate in combat, often under duress.
6. Psychological Effects. Psychological trauma: Civilians, especially children, are exposed to traumatic experiences related to violence, destruction, death of loved ones or sexual violence. Many people struggle with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other disorders.
Increase in suicide and mental disorders: People who have survived the dramatic events of war often struggle with mental health problems, which can lead to suicide, addiction, as well as the development of violence in post-conflict societies.
7. Increasing poverty. Destruction of livelihoods: Armed conflicts lead to the destruction of sources of income, such as agriculture, industry, and trade. Many people lose their jobs, and those who have not been directly affected by the hostilities have no chance of making money.
Increased hunger and malnutrition: The destruction of agricultural infrastructure and disruption of food production lead to humanitarian crises, including malnutrition, lack of access to drinking water, and other basic needs.
8. Long-term consequences. Environmental degradation: Armed conflicts often lead to the destruction of the natural environment – pollution of water, land, as well as contamination of areas by unexploded ordnance, chemical or radiological weapons.Breaking social ties: As a result of the war, social ties are broken, distrust among people increases, and certain social groups are marginalized, which makes it difficult to rebuild the country after the end of the conflict.
9. Stopping social and economic development. Slowing development: Destruction of infrastructure, high casualties, and economic destruction lead to a delay in social and economic development, making it difficult for countries to rebuild after a conflict. This process can take years, and the effects can be felt for generations. Armed conflicts therefore have not only direct, but also long-term, devastating consequences for civilians. Post-war reconstruction requires enormous social, political and economic efforts, as well as international humanitarian aid.
Direct Casualties. Deaths and injuries affect combatants and civilians.
Displacement. Forced migration occurs internally and across borders.
Human Rights Abuses. War crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide occur. Armed conflicts cause direct casualties and displacement. They also lead to long-term psychological trauma.
The economic effects of an armed conflict are typically far-reaching and span various aspects of the economy, both nationally and internationally. The most important economic effects of armed conflicts include:
1. Destruction of infrastructure and resources. Material damage: The fighting leads to the destruction of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. This can lead to years of problems in the reconstruction and reduced production capacity. Destruction of natural resources: The exploitation or destruction of natural resources, such as oil, gas, or groundwater deposits, can reduce a country’s economic potential.
2. Disruption of production and trade. Disruption of supply chains: Conflicts can halt production, especially in industries that depend on supplies from other regions. Disruptions in international trade can also push up commodity prices. Reduction in foreign investment: Investors may withdraw their investments from the conflict region, leading to a decrease in the inflow of capital and technology.
- Increase in military spending and public debt. Military spending: In times of war, governments must allocate huge resources to finance the army, purchase weapons, military equipment, and maintain the armed forces. This can lead to an increase in the budget deficit and public debtHumanitarian aid and reconstruction: After the end of the conflict, massive spending on humanitarian aid and reconstruction of devastated areas may be necessary, putting an additional burden on the state budget.
- Increase in unemployment. Factory and business closures: As a result of damage to infrastructure and disruptions to production, many businesses may be forced to close, leading to mass layoffs.
Migration of people: A conflict can force people to flee war zones, leading to an influx of refugees to other countries and increasing the burden on the labour market in host countries.
5. Inflation and market destabilization. Price increases: Disruptions in production and trade can lead to shortages of goods, which consequently drives up prices. It can also lead to inflation, especially in countries neighbouring war zones.Currency depreciation: Economic uncertainty related to the war leads to a weakening of the national currency, which increases the cost of imports and can deepen the economic crisis.
- Decline in living standards and poverty
Impoverishment of the population: As a result of the war, many people are losing their sources of income and the cost of living is increasing, leading to a decline in living standards. Often, as a result of the destruction, many people do not have access to basic services such as healthcare or education.Increase in the number of refugees: People are fleeing war zones to other countries, which puts a strain on the resources of host countries and can lead to social tensions.
- Long-term effects on economic development
Extend reconstruction: Once a conflict is over, the reconstruction process can take many years, and in some cases decades. This can delay the development of the economy, especially if the country does not receive adequate international aid.Stopping modernization processes: During the war, many development projects, such as the construction of new factories, transport infrastructure, or the introduction of new technologies, are put on hold, which affects the country’s competitiveness after the end of the conflict.
8. Changes in the structure of global trade and politics. Increasing the role of certain countries: As a result of war, some countries may gain importance, for example by increasing exports of arms or natural resources, while other countries in conflict are unable to do so.Changes in international politics: Armed conflicts can affect international trade agreements, alliances, as well as the global balance of political power, with economic consequences.Summary:Armed conflict has a number of negative economic effects that affect both national and international economies. In addition to the immediate damage, the long-term effects include an increase in debt, unemployment, inflation and a decline in the standard of living of the population. Rebuilding the economy after the war may take many years and require huge financial outlays.
Infrastructure Destruction.Damage to essential services like schools and hospitals.
Disruption. Reduced trade and agricultural production undermine economies.
Resource Diversion. Government spending shifts from development to military needs. Armed conflicts destroy infrastructure. They disrupt economic activity and divert resources. This leads to poverty.
Examples of conflicts
- Syrian Civil War (2011–present)
The conflict began as a result of protests against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which turned into a brutal civil war. As a result of fighting, international interventions (Russia, the United States) and the involvement of various armed groups (ISIS, Kurds, Al-Qaeda, rebels), the war in Syria has led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people and millions of refugees.
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- War in Yemen (2014–present)
An armed conflict between the Yemeni government, supported by a coalition of Arab states (including Saudi Arabia), and the Houthi rebels, who have taken control of the capital, Sana’a. The war led to a humanitarian catastrophe and destruction in the country, with hundreds of thousands of casualties.
- Conflict in Ukraine (2014–present)
The conflict began after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the outbreak of fighting in Donbas (eastern Ukraine) between pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian forces. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war after February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, triggering the largest military crisis in Europe since World War II
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- Libyan Civil War (2011–present)
After the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya plunged into chaos. As a result, a civil war broke out between various political groups, tribal groups and armed organizations, which led to long-term destabilization of the country.
summary
Armed conflicts around the world have a variety of causes and consequences, both local and global. Examples of such wars include both international and civil wars that have occurred in different parts of the world.All of these wars had enormous economic, social, and political consequences. Destruction of infrastructure, destabilisation of regions, human migration, humanitarian crises and long-lasting effects on economic development are just some of the challenges that remain after the end of conflicts.
Created by: Mikołaj jaworski, Filip Dylewski, Alan Wieczorkiewicz, Szymon Biniszewski, Jędrzrej Gaworski, Julka Cegiełkowska-ZSO Mogielnica.
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