The Relationship Between Globalization and Peace

Globalization is analytically conceptualized as a global market of instrumentalities in which everything, like the lingua franca, is common — culture, communication, transport. Globalization is then analyzed with reference to peace and conflicts. A starting point is the observation that globalization needs peace and pacified environments, whereas peace does not depend on globalization. The polysemy of peace is generated by the peace of tradition and modernity and the peace of good and services. In terms of practical relations a key role is played by how these various conceptions of peace relate to ultimate and intermediate values. The range of conceptions of peace is applied to a model of four categories of national society and each of these categories is placed in relation with another, since these reciprocal relations are the condition generating world globalization. The result of the comparison is that globalization produces conflict because the different conceptions of peace prevalent in each society are unable to enter into dialogue with each other. In the real world contemporary globalization is made possible and effective by a range of engines (political and military centers, and peacemaking centers–international organizations), control functions (individuals, organizations, public opinion, a worldwide creative “multitude”) and instruments (reconciliation, negotiation, a tendency in relations for intermediate values to prevail over ultimate values).

Globalization has brought surreal revision to the international social-politics in last few decades. Effects of globalization are patchy and mixed. On the brighter side, globalization has pioneered economic interdependence amongst states, furthered financial and information flows, increased interconnection of societies (both economically and culturally), and strengthened State’s interdependence. These remain as relatively superficial accounts of globalization. What lies beneath the surface is criminal globalization. And this is marked by marginalization, money laundering, biochemical wars, terrorism, illegal arms trade, human trafficking, drug trade, smuggling of goods, cyber-crimes, etc. Often, the involvement of youth (who are vulnerable given their mold able transitional age) in such activities exacerbate the problems associated with the negatives of globalization.

The young minds, as compared to the people of other age groups, are much more receptive to the social transformations and new ideology emerges. In this backdrop, it becomes crucial to realize that tremendous possibilities with today’s youth can be tapped to the cause of promoting international peace. There remain huge possibilities to employ the youth energy in establishing peace internationally. Promoting international peace, which is one of the purposes of the United Nations, as mentioned in its preamble, can be more efficiently achieved by the mobilized and motivated youth. Sincere efforts in this direction may prove to be a sound peace model for achieving international peace by utilizing the youth energy combined with the forces and agencies of globalization.