What important insights about war and peace do we gain from structural-functional, symbolic-interaction, and social-conflict analyses? How can you use these insights to reduce the likelihood and human costs of war?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

- Structural-functional theory suggests that war is a strategy that a society may use to establish its independence, defend its way of life, or reach other objectives. Terrorism is a strategy used by groups or nations to oppose a much stronger enemy. Conflict helps unite a society and strengthen its core values. Militarism helps expand the economy. Many technological advances that improve our lives, including the internet, were developed through military research.
- Symbolic-interaction theory focuses on the meanings and understandings that people attach to conflict. National leaders use symbols to convince a population that their cause is just. Leaders also use symbols to demonize an enemy.
- Social-conflict theory links war to social inequality. Marx explained militarism as efforts by the capitalist elite to gain ever-increasing profits through colonialism; today, the goal is to defend and expand the capitalist global economy. Strong nations use war to dominate the globe; the powerless use terrorism to fight back.