LIB495 BELEN Rough Draft

docx

School

Liberty University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

495

Subject

Communications

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by MSgtRzzy

Running Head: ROUGH DRAFT 1 The Unjustifiable Responsibility of Dehumanization in War Belen R. Munoz LIB 495: Capstone - Advanced Research Project Professor Robert Engelson July 04, 2019

Rough Draft 2 The Unjustifiable Responsibility of Dehumanization in War To what extent does the philosophy of war supersede human life? Imagine a world where cultures are destroyed for the mere reason that political leaders are incapable of reaching amicable agreements. History tells us many stories of nations that attack others as they try to abolish cultures based on a need to feel superior to them. During these times in history, hundreds of millions of people were killed, and for some, their stories went with them, their culture, their traditions, and their beliefs. It is difficult to understand the reasoning behind the atrocities called injustices against groups of people. These heinous crimes against humanity are called wars, and these crimes should not be justified; instead, political leaders of conflicts should be held responsible. Justification for deaths of citizens labeled as collateral damage should not be justified. It is understood that in some cases war is needed when being attacked, the notion of having soldiers fight on front lines as the decision makers decide on the number of casualties that will determine the end of a war is disgusting. War tactics need to be evaluated, and military funding should go to war prevention, not readiness. War is inhumane and ultimately unjust. War uses people as collateral damage, and war ethics should not be based on traditions from the past. As the world advances, and technology and communications continue to evolve, it is only reasonable that our conflict tactics do as well. Political violence has been masked to be advertised as a patriotic act. War is not patriotic; it is the lowest type of communication groups of people can interact. If countries were to communicate effectively and respect each other, the world would be a better place in which violence would be the last resort. The issue is that

Rough Draft 3 violence is justified during a war, which defeats the purpose of peace. If war were unjustifiable people would be more inclined to try and communicate with each other to avoid bloodshed. War should never be justified, because not only does it promote conflict and glorify battle, but it also is a crime against humanity. To illustrate, the Just War theory perceives war as acceptable violence; as described by Michael Howard in "The Causes of War," war is "organized, armed violence, on the part of large groups of people" (Howard, 1983, p. 31). War is only acceptable and perceived to be honorable because of the propaganda that comes with war when, in reality, war is a politically motivated crime against humanity. In his essay, Michael Howard quotes Carl von Clausewitz's stance on war and his belief that "war is the continuation of politics by other means" (Howard, 1983, p. 31). Given that war is so acceptable it is perceived as a method of discussion when, in reality, war is an atrocious act as human beings are killing one another over a fallout, misunderstandings and irreconcilable differences between states. Therefore, the Just War theory should be abolished to avoid bloodshed and allow leaders to take political responsibility for their inability to cooperate and compromise. Even though communication is critical to resolve all conflicts, communication through violence will never lead to peace. Communication is essential, nevertheless coupled with compassion, acceptance, and reconciliation. People must refrain themselves from expressing negative emotions towards others for the reason that organizers of war will feed off the hatred and continue to destroy relationships for power and control violently. As a matter of fact, in "A Human Approach to World Peace," the Dalai Lama states, "we lose control over our minds through hatred, selfishness, jealousy, and anger, we lose our sense of judgment. Our minds are blinded, and at those wild moments, anything can happen, including war" (Lama, n.d., p.273). He believes in compassion and its pathway to world peace. Also, Dalai Lama describes

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Rough Draft 4 individual responsibility to maintain and pursue world peace through compassion and acceptance. It is the belief that if people were to be more compassionate and aware of others, world peace would be attainable. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of inner peace and the way peace begins within oneself. If one were to bring peace into one's life, it would be easier to spread. In some sense, if the people in this world would perceive the world in a different light where everyone's happiness mattered to one and all, there would be no need for violence. The inability to understand that human life is of most significance when waging war is outrageous. Ironically, the reason for most wars is to protect humanity from other states to save the people in one nation by killing others as a preventive measure to guarantee safety. It is understood that war is inevitable, however, the view of war needs to be changed to mirror its reality. War is a crime as it results in the death of hundreds, thousands, and more. Humanity will never come to peace if war is an option; people are people regardless of the side they take. In war, violence has a positive connotation where the aggressor is believed to be strong. Therefore, nonviolence is perceived to be weak, but is it? According to Gene Sharp's video, The power and potential of nonviolent struggle by Gene Sharp (Better Spokane, 2011), nonviolent struggle is not vulnerable. On the contrary, nonviolent struggles are powerful, and if successful, they have the potential to be stronger than any army on Earth. Nonviolent struggles can become the most powerful weapon known to humanity. Gene Sharp elaborates on the effectiveness of nonviolence versus violence. Violence insights retaliation while nonviolence unites people against oppression. He gives an example along the lines of trying to put out a fire by adding wood to it. Fighting violence with violence would then result in a rise in violence. Violence is not the solution to anyone's problems, and it will never be. He goes on to talk about generals who prepare for war with different strategies and weapons as their goal is to destroy their opponent

Rough Draft 5 physically and all those that surround them. This will cause retaliation and go on to be an endless cycle of bloodshed. Comparatively, in the book Rethinking the just war tradition (2007), Michael Brough elaborates on the notion that environmental laws should be heavily enforced in war. Limiting ecological damage would result in a minimized impact of war. He also expresses the issue of post-war reconciliation. The problem lies in the fact that conflict is not being reconciled once it's over. In other words, war reconciliation has been "neglected". Brough similarly describes different perceptions when it comes to assassinations and the boundaries crossed by opposing countries. Unethical actions in situations like this are praised without foreshadowing the retaliation to follow. Lisa Sowle Cahill (2016) agrees as she argues that the "just-war theory" is not enough. The "just-war theory" promotes war instead of "prevent or limit it." Retaliation and violence need to be replaced with respect and peace. There needs to be a balance in which a nation’s military does not define its strength as a state. Similarly, in the book The Peacekeeping Economy: Using Economic Relationships to Build a More Peaceful, Prosperous, and Secure World (2011), Lloyd J. Dumas explains that demilitarization comes with more benefits as the "burden" is lifted. He describes that the funds allocated for militarization can be used for economic development. Various departments can use money from education to health care. It might be challenging to go from a militarized country to demilitarization, but as stated by Dumas, "if there is one thing we can learn about from the checkered history of our species, it is that we are adaptable" (Dumas, 2011, p. 347). One might question why someone would want to demilitarize their country? Dumas elaborates as stated, "the idea that military strength is virtually synonymous with security is deeply entrenched and widely held... it is simply not true. Security is and always has been primarily a matter of

Rough Draft 6 relationships. The threat or use of violent force may sometimes be needed to protect us... but it is never capable of keeping us as safe" (Dumas, 2011, p. 347). With this, he argues that the military would be used to counter-attack in which a country would use as protection from another, but it does not keep safe from anything or anyone. Also, he talks about the benefits of building relationships, which would diminish conflict with others. The way to peace is not to arm, but to disarm and not to hate, but to embrace. In War Crimes and Just War (2007), Larry May clarifies the differences between war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as Just War theory and "international criminal law." He interprets his views by describing the Nuremberg trials and the justice that was sought against the individuals versus the actual aggressor. Before the trials the Germans ideology of superiority over the Jews leads them to diminish the value of other human beings as they disposed of them as they pleased and viewed them as something other than human. The Holocaust is the remembrance of a broken culture, the symbol of the Jews traumatic change. Soldiers that prefer to torture other human beings rather than go out and fight a war volunteered to create a war at home, in concentration camps. During the 12 years of Hitler's ruling, these men followed his orders and enjoyed it as they continued to dehumanize Jews. There are many to blame, those conducting the hurting and those giving the orders. May assists in the understanding that soldiers were following orders from the state and the state should be punishable. However, it is argued that Adolf Hitler was not considered the state as he took over the state, and his army was a private army. All parties should be held responsible for preventing crimes against humanity. On the other hand, Archbishop Desmond Tutu argues that forgiving the aggressors and not entertaining the idea of a Nuremberg Trial is the best post-war action for humanity. He explains, there were doctors, generals, and more who were responsible for the Holocaust, but only some

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Rough Draft 7 went to trial. The Nuremberg trials did not bring closure, nor did it bring to peace to Jews or the world. People have not been able to forgive and continue to fight a battle of you versus me or me versus you. The world will be as peaceful as it gets when we begin to see ourselves as we. Archbishop Desmond Tutu believes that the world would be a better place if people were to forgive rather than retaliate. People should not make others suffer for the crimes they have committed because this will become an endless cycle that will never result in peace. There is no ultimate peace, but there is a path to reconciliation that is the most difficult thing someone can do in their lifetime. Imagine having to forgive someone that has dehumanized you, attacked you, or has gone as far as taking someone from you. How can you forgive someone for this? Would you be betraying your beliefs if you do? Maybe, but life will be so much easier if an apology is made, forgiveness is granted, and reconciliation is the goal. The world today is full of hate towards one another when people should be embracing each other and their differences. According to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, we were created differently to complement one another. True peace can't be obtained, but it would be nice to live "happily together" (University of California Television, 2005). It is essential to understand that even the enemies are human too, and they also should be treated as such. The perception of war deprives people of knowing its truth. Correspondingly, Jean Elshtain, analyzes the importance of the language used to describe acts of war in Chapter One of her book, Just War Against Terror . She illustrates that war is perceived as glorious because of the misinterpretation of the description of war acts as she calls it "misdescription." She goes on to explain the difference between terrorism and patriotism. For example, she elaborates on the fact that outside "soldiers," "fighters" are labeled as terrorists when they are following their military orders. Soldiers are a symbol of patriotism as long as they are protecting

Rough Draft 8 us, but what happens when they are soldiers protecting our enemies? This is when they become terrorists; at this point, it is no longer honorable to be a soldier unless they are on one's side. War is terrifying and should not be forced upon anyone because those terrorist people fear honoring their patriotic duty to their nation. Those soldiers are just as human as one's soldiers. Also, one can take a look at those who fight in wars and realize that they are recruited as children. These young men and women are invading others and placing suffering upon them as they feel powerful enough to do so due to the costume they're given, a uniform that holds an honorable attachment, a pardon to all its crimes. The picture of war is painted in a positive light that leads the people to believe that it is a patriotic honor to die for one's country, not realizing the impact it has on the soldiers on and off the battle field. Correspondingly, Chris Hedges describes war as destructive and cruel in his discussion, "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning (2004)." Hedges explains that war is "always carefully packaged the way tobacco or liquor companies packaged their own poisons" (University of California Television, 2004). He refers to propaganda and the way war is advertised, which is far from the horrors of the real battle. To illustrate, he explains, "we are fed images and slogans.. illusions blind us" (University of California Television, 2004). In the same way, Erich Maria Remarque portrays war as evil in "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1982). In this novel, teachers glorified war and influenced their students to go to war. The main character in the book realizes the darkness of war when one of his friends dies. To demonstrate, he states, "they let us down so badly. For us lads of eighteen, they ought to have been mediators and guides to the world.. To the future.. The idea of authority, which they represented, was associated with greater insight and more humane wisdom. But the first death we saw shattered this belief" (Remarque, 1982. p.12). These young adults were convinced war was

Rough Draft 9 glorious, and they had no reason to question their orders for the mere reason that an educated authority figure was their source. War changed their perspective as they sought to protect civilians from war. Soldiers looked back at war and began to question whether it was worth it. The war started to change them and their views as they detached themselves from their everyday lives and allowed themselves to experience the actual reality of war. Some soldiers tried to make sense of the war and believed that war killed innocent people as political agendas deceived them. Henceforth, principles of peace need to be incorporated in the language of war in replacing violence. With this in mind, Archbishop Desmond Tutu believed that people needed to atone for the harm they caused when committing a crime to secure reconciliation and ultimate peace. He explains as he says, "restorative justice whose chief purpose is not purity but, as its name implies, restorative healing; it holds as central the essential humanity of the perpetrator of even the most gruesome atrocity never giving up on anyone, believing in the essential goodness of all as created in the image of God, and that even the worst of us still remains a child of God with a potential to become better - someone to be salvaged, to be rehabilitated, not to be ostracized but ultimately to be reintegrated into the community. Restorative justice believes that an offense has caused a breach, has disturbed the social equilibrium which must be restored and the breach healed when the offender and the victim can be reconciled and peace restored" (University of California Television, 2005). He then continues to describe how people are made to complete each other. There are people with natural abilities as well as flaws, and there are other people with flaws with talent. This is where God comes in, and the Archbishop helps his audience understand that people were not made to be perfect, but together, people are close to being complete.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Rough Draft 10 In conclusion, violent conflict, war, tactics need to evolve to correspond with the worlds needs as times change. Violence has changed in the sense that war is now organized and those that hold power do not fear in war, they control. War is, in a sense, is a violent disagreement between groups that can't reach an amicable agreement. The most significant cause of war is power and control over others. Therefore, nonviolent resolutions should be in place to minimize the violence and diminish the tactics that lead us to violent conflicts with one another. There needs to be a basic understanding that people are people regardless of their origin, views, and traditions. Violence divides people and causes more harm than good. It is essential to understand that nonviolence solutions to disputes are the only path towards peace. Violence in wars has taught people that their wellbeing is not a priority as they are pawns in a game of chess. People should not be objectified and treated as objects by those making the decisions to put their lives in danger for gain in power. Power does not promote peace, compassion, and acceptability of others does. There is a way to build trust between people, groups, states, countries, and nations, and that is to demilitarize all nations. If everyone were to drop their weapons the world's violence would diminish, and people would be more inclined to collaboratively reach agreements with one another on a level of "genuine respect" (University of California Television, 2012). There needs to be a basic understanding that those on the opposition side are people, too; they, too, bleed and suffer during war. War is violence, and its antidote is peace when all conflicts have ended.

Rough Draft 11 References Barash, D. (2018). Approaches to peace: A reader in peace studies (4th Ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. BetterSpokane. (2011, December 26). The power and potential of nonviolent struggle by Gene Sharp . [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQV_4-rXXrE Brough, M. W., Lango, J. W., & Van der Linden, H. (2007). Rethinking the just war tradition . [electronic resource]. Albany : State University of New York Press, c2007. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db =cat02191a&AN=aul.10575880&site=eds-live&scope=site Cahill, L. S. (2016). A church for peace. (cover story). Commonweal , 143(14), 9. Retrieved From http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db= f5h&AN=117703520&site=eds-live&scope=site Dumas, L. J. (2011). The peacekeeping economy . [electronic resource] : Using economic relationships to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure world . New Haven : Yale University Press, c2011. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy- library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat02191a&AN=aul.10500352&site=eds- live&scope=site Elshtain, J. B. (2003 ). Just war against terror . [electronic resource]: The burden of American power in a violent world . New York : Basic Books, c2003, (Chapter 1) Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat021 91a&AN=aul.10419589&site=eds-live&scope=site Howard, M. (1983) The causes of war. In Barash, D. (2014) Approaches to peace: A reader in peace studies . Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Rough Draft 12 Lama, D. (n.d.) A human approach to world peace. In Barash, D. Approaches to peace: A reader reader in peace studies . Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press. May, L. (2007). War crimes and just war . [electronic resource]. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2007. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxylibrary.ashford.edu/login.aspx? direct=true&db=cat02191a&AN=aul.EBC293381&site=eds-live&scope=site Remarque, E. M. (1982). All quiet on the western front. New York City, NY: Ballantine Books. University of California Television. (Producer). (2004, November 1). War is a force that gives us meaning with Chris Hedges. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uctv.tv/shows/War-is-a-Force-that-Gives-us-Meaning-with-Chris-Hedges-91 09 University of California Television. (Producer). (2005, December 19). Reconciling love—A millennium mandate with Archbishop Desmond Tutu [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uctv.tv/shows/Reconciling-Love-A-Millennium-Mandate-with-Archbishop- Desmond-Tutu-11162 University of California Television. (Producer). (2012, May 12). Cultivating peace and justice with the Dalai Lama [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uctv.tv/shows/Cultivating-Peace-and-Justice-with-the-Dalai-Lama-22480

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

LIB495 BELEN Rough Draft

Related Documents