How to Prevent Deadly Conflict

Preventing deadly conflict on a global scale is something that humanity has strived for since the beginning of civilization. Sadly, the track record of the human race has shown that this is not an easy task. Conflicts between nations and peoples are constantly threatening to tear this world apart, and it would seem that nothing can be done to prevent that. There may still be hope for the world, and perhaps words of advice such as these will inspire everyone to work towards peaceful solutions to problems

Instructions

• 1

  Foster open communication. This should be a given for resolving any conflict, whether it is between two warring nations or two feuding neighbors. People talk all the time, but they rarely actively listen to those they perceive as their enemies. Many global conflicts are based on ideological differences rather than outright hatred, yet this fact is lost on far too many people. By actively listening to each other and considering diplomatic solutions, perhaps nations can learn there are always reasons for conflict beyond anger and hatred.

• 2

  Respect each others' differences. This goes hand-in-hand with fostering open communication. It's easy to vilify or dehumanize an enemy and decide that he or she is evil. It's not so easy to imagine why people became enemies in the first place. Many conflicts arise from cultural misunderstandings, prejudice, and arrogance. A culture may look at another culture and decide that it is inferior or even dangerous, when in fact it is just different. A diplomatic approach can turn would-be enemies into allies and friends if people would just understand that cultural differences don't have to be reasons to go to war.

• 3

  Consider military intervention as a last resort. It should go without saying that when diplomacy fails, nations will resort to military intervention to resolve conflicts. This obviously does work occasionally, but even when it does there is always the loss of human life and damage to a nation's infrastructure to contend with. When it doesn't work, it results in war. To make matters worse, wars in the 21st Century aren't always fought against other nations. A nation that deploys their military to defeat a terrorist organization could end up sending troops to various countries all over the world, angering said nations and exacerbating the problem. It is in the best interest of all nations to hold off on military deployment as long as possible so that a peaceful solution can be reached.