War
Can war ever be a good thing?
War is a
taboo subject, an unspoken word never juxtaposed with modern governments and
international organizations. Such a topic brings to mind the sheer violence and
bloodshed involved, the ruthless conflict and the countless stories of
devastation and catastrophe suffered by every nation. Marked by mass deaths of
civilians, including the Holocaust, a resulted 50
million to over 73 million fatalities in World War II was by far the deadliest conflict in human history. Can the deaths of these people truly be justified?
Or would they just be considered a tool for governments or regimes to achieve
their aims? I stand firmly by my belief that war is never a good thing.
Although it may trigger a change in the political stance of many countries, it
may not necessarily benefit these societies involved in the long run. The costs
incurred during a war on a country’s economy and social welfare are just simply
too overwhelming and would outweigh any positive impact it would have on its
people.
Stories
of the past are often filled with heroes and legends, worshipped for their
courage and bravery in leading their empire to victory over vast continents of
land. Wars are often portrayed in a positive light as stepping stone and a
symbol of power and dominance over countries. The conquering of lands would allow
further development and growth of communities, an overall sign of a successful
and achieving nation. Alexander the Great was considered a legend for extending
his empire and founding over 20 cities throughout his time on the throne. The
fallacy of this argument however, is the fact that as
war progresses, it only leads to more fatalities and destruction. The irony of war
is that the outcome turns out to be worse than expected. The cooperation and
forging of friendly ties would allow both sides to mutually benefit. Instead, many
superpowers resort to war as a simplistic and callous method to achieve their
wants. The ambitions of most countries going to war are moral and in fact
commendable. Improving the well-being of its people and fighting for their
rights are but some of a whole host of aims for countries involved in war. However,
war is an insensitive and ceaseless battle. In the midst of battle and
violence, many would have lost the real motive of such an action, to improve
the society. In Israel, The constant bombardment between Israelis and the
Palestinians on the borders of the Gaza Strip has only led to increasing
protests and a rising death toll. As it stands, the principle of an “eye for an
eye” is the excuse for retaliation between two sides. The public has to live in
panic and fear for their security and safety are jeopardised. Such conflict has
been brooding for decades and has yet to be resolved. War is ineffective. War
is not peaceful. War is deadly.
The
devastating economic impacts of war are felt almost immediately in countries.
It leads to the degradation of bilateral ties between other countries,
inhibiting trade and growth in the economy. Little investments would be
attracted during such times of instability. The destruction of infrastructure
and businesses coupled with the country’s chaotic state would only
progressively lead to a new host of problems. The lack of motivation and
incentive to work may pressure some into commiting crimes or engage in social
vices such as stealing. The consequences of war are not encouraging, as proven
by the civil war in Sierra Leone. Revenue earned from diamonds mined in the
country was used by the corrupted government, resulting in protests and
eventually a civil war which lasted over a decade. Rebels invaded many mining
sites, the main source of income for the country. The result was a declining
economy and little tourism to stimulate growth.
Another
increasingly oppressing problem which we constantly turn a blind eye to would
be the environmental degradation caused by the aftermath of a war. In our
technologically advanced era, our weaponry varies from explosive to even
chemical. Using such machinery has resulted in unprecedented
levels of deforestation and habitat destruction. In Vietnam, bombs alone
destroyed over 2 million acres of land. This is aggravated by the fact that restorations
of forests are not a priority. Chemical weapons are also very potent and
capable of degrading land and
defoliating forested and rural land.
During the Vietnam War, the United States Military used Agent Orange,
carcinogenic compound, as part of its chemical warfare programme to deprive guerrillas
of their cover. An estimated 10 million
hectares of agricultural land was ultimately destroyed.
The chemicals have also settled into the soil, causing it to be almost
inhabitable. Those living on contaminated land suffered from many disabilities
and complications. War has disrupted the
basic ecological systems and tainted the environment.
While I still stand by my view that war
is never a good thing, I understand that there are times when countries are
forced into war. If countries are pressured into a spot where they have no
option other than to fight back or surrender, it could be a reason for
retaliation. When facing a hostile enemy, there could be little chance of a negotiation
or treaty. As such, these countries may be forced to go to war as a form of
defense. However, it definitely does not lead to any positive impact for either
side. Pearl Harbour was attacked on 7th
December 1941 by Japan, sinking many warships and killing over 2,000 people.
The surprise attack was for without a reason except to deter the United States them
from intervening in their affairs. As a form of defense, the U.S military proclaimed
war with Japan. This eventually led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
The causes for war are just simply
too complex and sophisticated to justify. Yet, the question that stands is
whether war ever leads to anything positive. The answer is a clear no. Unfortunately,
many countries all over the world still engage in pointless conflict and violence.
Such selfish and aimless acts would only deteriorate the country and harm the
entire region. War would never have a peaceful resolution. As once said by
Herodotus, “In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war,
fathers bury their sons.”
War
Can war ever be a good thing?
War is a
taboo subject, an unspoken word never juxtaposed with modern governments and
international organizations. Such a topic brings to mind the sheer violence and
bloodshed involved, the ruthless conflict and the countless stories of
devastation and catastrophe suffered by every nation. Marked by mass deaths of
civilians, including the Holocaust, a resulted 50
million to over 73 million fatalities in World War II was by far the deadliest conflict in human history. Can the deaths of these people truly be justified?
Or would they just be considered a tool for governments or regimes to achieve
their aims? I stand firmly by my belief that war is never a good thing.
Although it may trigger a change in the political stance of many countries, it
may not necessarily benefit these societies involved in the long run. The costs
incurred during a war on a country’s economy and social welfare are just simply
too overwhelming and would outweigh any positive impact it would have on its
people.
Stories
of the past are often filled with heroes and legends, worshipped for their
courage and bravery in leading their empire to victory over vast continents of
land. Wars are often portrayed in a positive light as stepping stone and a
symbol of power and dominance over countries. The conquering of lands would allow
further development and growth of communities, an overall sign of a successful
and achieving nation. Alexander the Great was considered a legend for extending
his empire and founding over 20 cities throughout his time on the throne. The
fallacy of this argument however, is the fact that as
war progresses, it only leads to more fatalities and destruction. The irony of war
is that the outcome turns out to be worse than expected. The cooperation and
forging of friendly ties would allow both sides to mutually benefit. Instead, many
superpowers resort to war as a simplistic and callous method to achieve their
wants. The ambitions of most countries going to war are moral and in fact
commendable. Improving the well-being of its people and fighting for their
rights are but some of a whole host of aims for countries involved in war. However,
war is an insensitive and ceaseless battle. In the midst of battle and
violence, many would have lost the real motive of such an action, to improve
the society. In Israel, The constant bombardment between Israelis and the
Palestinians on the borders of the Gaza Strip has only led to increasing
protests and a rising death toll. As it stands, the principle of an “eye for an
eye” is the excuse for retaliation between two sides. The public has to live in
panic and fear for their security and safety are jeopardised. Such conflict has
been brooding for decades and has yet to be resolved. War is ineffective. War
is not peaceful. War is deadly.
The
devastating economic impacts of war are felt almost immediately in countries.
It leads to the degradation of bilateral ties between other countries,
inhibiting trade and growth in the economy. Little investments would be
attracted during such times of instability. The destruction of infrastructure
and businesses coupled with the country’s chaotic state would only
progressively lead to a new host of problems. The lack of motivation and
incentive to work may pressure some into commiting crimes or engage in social
vices such as stealing. The consequences of war are not encouraging, as proven
by the civil war in Sierra Leone. Revenue earned from diamonds mined in the
country was used by the corrupted government, resulting in protests and
eventually a civil war which lasted over a decade. Rebels invaded many mining
sites, the main source of income for the country. The result was a declining
economy and little tourism to stimulate growth.
Another
increasingly oppressing problem which we constantly turn a blind eye to would
be the environmental degradation caused by the aftermath of a war. In our
technologically advanced era, our weaponry varies from explosive to even
chemical. Using such machinery has resulted in unprecedented
levels of deforestation and habitat destruction. In Vietnam, bombs alone
destroyed over 2 million acres of land. This is aggravated by the fact that restorations
of forests are not a priority. Chemical weapons are also very potent and
capable of degrading land and
defoliating forested and rural land.
During the Vietnam War, the United States Military used Agent Orange,
carcinogenic compound, as part of its chemical warfare programme to deprive guerrillas
of their cover. An estimated 10 million
hectares of agricultural land was ultimately destroyed.
The chemicals have also settled into the soil, causing it to be almost
inhabitable. Those living on contaminated land suffered from many disabilities
and complications. War has disrupted the
basic ecological systems and tainted the environment.
While I still stand by my view that war
is never a good thing, I understand that there are times when countries are
forced into war. If countries are pressured into a spot where they have no
option other than to fight back or surrender, it could be a reason for
retaliation. When facing a hostile enemy, there could be little chance of a negotiation
or treaty. As such, these countries may be forced to go to war as a form of
defense. However, it definitely does not lead to any positive impact for either
side. Pearl Harbour was attacked on 7th
December 1941 by Japan, sinking many warships and killing over 2,000 people.
The surprise attack was for without a reason except to deter the United States them
from intervening in their affairs. As a form of defense, the U.S military proclaimed
war with Japan. This eventually led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
The causes for war are just simply
too complex and sophisticated to justify. Yet, the question that stands is
whether war ever leads to anything positive. The answer is a clear no. Unfortunately,
many countries all over the world still engage in pointless conflict and violence.
Such selfish and aimless acts would only deteriorate the country and harm the
entire region. War would never have a peaceful resolution. As once said by
Herodotus, “In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war,
fathers bury their sons.”
Profile
the owner biography goes here
{ PLEASE change anything below here to your own words, don't copy my style of dumb intro }
Who I am? Hello guys! just call me Hanie(m), Michiko, or Han-Ae
#jelly with it??
i'm born on 23rd of July in the year of 1996 in Kuala Lumpur.
My hometown is Seoul, South Korea but i'm currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I'm now study in Selangor Science School.
I'm a pure Malaysian with a lil' bit Chinese mixed.
I do hate bugs, backstabbers, anons, haters, and copycaters
#get out you looser(s).
Proud to be a hardcore KPOP fans since 2010.
Some facts about me :
I have siblings in blogger they're
Myra,
Anna and
AoiSora. I'm kind of
feminine 'boyish' girl. And also bad in 'aegyo'.. Huh -..-"Currently in a mentally dating with all my BIASED.50kg++ weight (quite heavy. duhh~) and 164 height. hihi..i'm famous on tv (public figure)
#lying.Loves to make friends and afraid of
boys and cats //aigoo.
Tell me on CBOX for the link exchange