A number of factors are fueling militarism, war, and violence throughout the world:
- Differences in ideologies – political, economic, religious, or otherwise – where one or more parties attempts to dominate or eradicate another
- A perpetual arms race in which states continuously research and develop advanced weaponry so as to ‘one up’ their perceived or real enemies – and the lack of international law regulating the development and use of new technologies (ex. drones)
- Governments and policies which favour, support, and maintain armed forces
- The spread of globalization and the inherent inequalities that are fostered and exaggerated through globalization – for example economic inequality which leads to civil unrest
- Multinational corporations whose success often depends on exploitation of marginalized groups and whose actions often lack accountability due to a lack of international governing law
- The global drive for access and control of natural resources, often played out in conflicts between multiple states or conflicts between sections of society – corporations, environmentalists, indigenous populations
- Cultural norms and a general acceptance of militarization/militarism in popular culture
LEARN MORE FROM OUR PARTNERS:
On modern human security:
“21st Century Security,” The Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy.
On military spending vs social service funding:
“Bring Our War $$ Home,” Code Pink.
On women and peace processes:
“Violence, Corruption, and Unequal Laws Keep Women from Peace: Report,” Kvinna till Kvinna.