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Nov 24, 2024

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1. Entanglement of Militarized Violence and Capitalism in the DRC: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) illustrates the entanglement of militarized violence, conflict, and capitalism. Historically, during the colonial era, Belgium exploited the Congo for its vast natural resources, employing violence to extract rubber, ivory, and minerals for profit. The colonial power established a system of forced labor, causing immense suffering and loss of life. In modern times, the remnants of this violent history persist in the form of armed conflict and militarization. The DRC is rich in minerals essential for modern industries, including coltan, gold, and diamonds. The global demand for these resources fuels conflict as armed groups and even foreign nations vie for control over mining areas. Militarized violence is used to secure these resource-rich regions, leading to human rights abuses, displacement, and loss of life. Capitalist interests are central to this cycle of violence. Multinational corporations, often from Western countries, exploit the resource abundance in the DRC, benefiting from the destabilization and conflict that result from their extraction. These corporations, through their involvement, perpetuate the militarization of the region as they rely on armed groups or security forces to protect their interests. This exploitation and the resulting cheapening of labor and resources contribute to maximizing profits. The historical backdrop of colonialism, marked by the violent extraction of resources, continues to influence contemporary capitalist endeavors in the DRC. The legacy of exploitation and violence persists, reminding us that militarized violence has been historically utilized to access labor and resources, aligning with the principles of capitalism. 2. Alignment with Readings: Both Dunbar-Ortiz and Satia's readings resonate with the situation in the DRC as depicted in the film. Dunbar-Ortiz's exploration of the exploitation and dehumanization of indigenous populations, driven by capitalist interests in the context of colonialism, aligns with the historical and contemporary experiences of the Congolese people. The exploitation of labor and resources in the DRC mirrors the systemic abuse faced by indigenous populations, reinforcing the argument that capitalism relies on the degradation of people and resources to maximize profit. Satia's analysis of air control and its connection to imperialism is paralleled by the utilization of militarized violence in the DRC. In both cases, violence is employed to secure economic interests. The film visually reinforces these claims by illustrating how the military is used to maintain control over resource-rich areas, demonstrating the interconnectedness of militarism and capitalism. 3. Additional Insights from the Film: The film "Crisis in Congo" provides a visual and emotional dimension to the understanding of the relationship between conflict and capitalism. It portrays the human suffering and devastation caused by the entanglement of capitalism and militarized violence. It brings to light the personal stories and struggles of individuals caught in the cycle of violence and exploitation, emphasizing the urgency to address this deeply entrenched issue.

The film also underscores the complicity of international actors, including corporations and neighboring nations, in perpetuating the conflict for economic gain. It reveals how global economic interests significantly contribute to the ongoing conflict and how the quest for profit on a global scale perpetuates suffering and violence at a local level. In conclusion, the case study of the Democratic Republic of the Congo illuminates the grim reality of how capitalism relies on militarized violence to access labor and resources. The historical roots of colonial exploitation persist in the modern era, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change and a reevaluation of global economic practices to break free from this destructive cycle.

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