But before I go down, Can I get another chance to make the world a better place?

The world politics and current events forced me to take a look into the past.  A good book and some spring romance gave birth to my peaceful mood.

The First World War began because many sovereign super-powers had to protect their foreign interests, mainly in colonies or other occupied land (rather than their own). In the magnificent new book by Niall Ferguson, a Harvard distinguished history professor, entitled “War of the World”; historical events are given a different perspective. The main idea is that, the 50 years from 1905 to 1955 were actually one global war. These first five decades of the twentieth century were the bloodiest ever; “The Second World War was the greatest man-made catastrophe of all time”. The main conclusion to be drawn is that it could repeat itself, if we would not change our beliefs, thoughts and actions.

Ferguson claimed that although a magnitude increase in average GDP occurred around the world’s nations during the early 20th century, it was the most violent time, stemming from war and terror inspired by humanity. None predicted this war. From a financial standpoint, even the capital market in late July of 1914 “were caught sleep, in awaken of a global war” according to Ferguson.

Was the war of 1914 a complete surprise? The history tells us that it all geared up into a great conflict, involving many powerful head of states exchanging diplomatic messages about the navigation of armed forces. The Russians threatened the Austrian-Hungary alliance by defending Serbia sovereignty, while the Germans had to interfere because of the Austria-Germany alliance. Meanwhile, France attacked South Germany in it attempt to re-capture Alsace territory. The English had to follow, which meant that the Balkan War of 1914 escalated into global war.

While reading the book, it amazed me how many things are relevant today. I just can’t stop thinking of these same patterns that developed on the international stage, on daily basis. Financially, we are better off, GDP rises in many areas which does not compensate for poor populations in other areas. More then half of the world population earns less then $2 per day. Yet, in those countries defense budget and army spending increases every year.

The West against East conflict is culminating in front of us. Globalization has had a second-round revival, but differences between these two societies are hard to overpass. Conflicts all over the world threaten many lives daily, and similarly to the bloodiest times of the early 20th century, these conflicts share the same characteristics. Moreover, it holds the risk where it might group together into a one global conflict.

We can’t stop the world, but we can make it abetter place; or try to. Stop the War; Talk.

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