Ideologically, has the world really changed since World War I?

[Guest nickxenol]

Now that World War I is 100 years old, I have reflected on how much we have changed in terms of the factors that has caused World War I. And to be honest, I do not think that society has changed that much, ideologically. Has militarism and nationalism been rid from the planet? North Korea is pointing nuclear weapons at South Korea (and possibly even at Japan and/or China*), Islamist militants have been running rampant across Iraq and Syria, Russia is basically fighting a war with Ukraine, etc. So much stuff since World War II has put us on the brink of another world war or a huge war at least.

 

World War I started because of the huge military expansions that German Empire, Russia, France, Austria-Hungary, British Empire, etc had been embarking on from the late 19th century up until 1914 when the war started. Stirring up the tension is these countries becoming extremely nationalist, ending up in the alliances that had formed in Europe. The result (obviously) was World War I, it was a gigantic disaster. Europe practically collapsed on itself economically, approximately 37 million died (7 million being innocent civilians).

 

I feel that the World Wars have blocked the potential in the 20th century for the continued social and economic successes of the 19th century. World War I has also made the dominoes to fall allowing for the rise of the Bolsheviks, eventually resulting in the Soviet Union, ending in the rise of communism in the 20th century. In conclusion, this continuing and dangerous rise of nationalism and militarism (just like in the years leading up to World War I) in the world today may result in something terrible. In fact, we may be already be seeing it in such catastrophes such as the Iraq War and/or the Syrian Civil War. Let me know what you think in the comments below, thank you for reading and have a beautiful day!!

 

* = This is a great video about recent relations between China and North Korea:

Edited November 15, 2014 by nickxenol

[Josh F]

I think that Vietnam showed the west that some important changes have been made, when forced into conscription and warfare we would now drop out by using drugs and resist by fragging our officers.  There are many who argue, and I tend to agree, that another draft would destroy the west.  World War 1 was a slaughterhouse on a level unparalleled even in Vietnam, and people for the most part pressed on with a stalwart resolution that earned them the title of the Great Generation.  In the battle of the Somme alone, the British had almost 60,000 casualties.... on the first DAY.  I think there has been incredible moral gains since this time, personally.  

And maybe I can point you in the direction of a few dramatic changes:  Russia is no longer communist, nor is China.  Europe hasn't had a war since, and the French and Germans of today find the prospect of fighting one another absurd.  The Western world no longer drafts their soldiers.  Communism is relegated to a niche in the West.  The idea of genocide is considered horrific.  Many countries, even the most socialistic countries, have had to adopt free marker practices even within limits.  For example, though the idea of socialism is popular thoughout latin America, most latin American countries have free trade zones set up to remain competitive.  China has had to emulate Hong Kong more than the other way around, for another example.  In the United States, people are actually questioning things like the Federal Reserve, previously an unknown amorphic conspiracy theory has become a very real and tangible political debate.  

[Dylan Lawrence Moore]

 The Western world no longer drafts their soldiers.

 

That just made me wonder about the number of countries in the west that force a predetermined amount of military time for male high school graduates. Even though they're not getting sent to war, isn't this still technically a draft?

[Josh F]

That just made me wonder about the number of countries in the west that force a predetermined amount of military time for male high school graduates. Even though they're not getting sent to war, isn't this still technically a draft?

Yeah, sure.  Slavery no doubt, but which countries do this?  I know Israel does it, are there western european countries which do it?

[Dylan Lawrence Moore]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription

 

Oops, not as many as I thought. Looks like we have Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, and Norway.

 

I don't know if we're counting Latin America and Turkey, and whether Greece, Finland, and Cyprus fall under the category of "The West". They're kind of the on the mixing line between Western and Orthodox/Russian civilization (or Islamic Civilization in the case of Cyprus).

 

But it's still worth pointing out that there are western countries still engaging in this practice.

[dsayers]

I feel that the World Wars have blocked the potential in the 20th century for the continued social and economic successes of the 19th century.

 

That was the first thought that ran through my mind when I read your title. Do you think that the advent of the internet has served to counteract this by helping people to understand that we are all brothers and sisters in bondage? That it's not here vs there, but slaves vs masters? I can't tell if the internet is facilitating it or just making it more visible, but it seems people are frantically trying to connect with one another and figure out a way out of it all. A lot more awareness and discussion than 15 or even just 5 years ago.

[Josh F]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription

 

Oops, not as many as I thought. Looks like we have Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, and Norway.

 

I don't know if we're counting Latin America and Turkey, and whether Greece, Finland, and Cyprus fall under the category of "The West". They're kind of the on the mixing line between Western and Orthodox/Russian civilization (or Islamic Civilization in the case of Cyprus).

 

But it's still worth pointing out that there are western countries still engaging in this practice.

 

I think many of those countries might have conscription as an option, but don't employ it.  I live in Uruguay, and it says that Brazil, Ecuador, Chile and Venezuela have it, but they don't force anyone into the armed forces.  I could see Venezuela doing it, but even they don't, I have tons of friends from there.  I'm going to ask around about that, I have friends from all those countries and I'm very curious now.  

[luxfelix]

I think that Vietnam showed the west that some important changes have been made, when forced into conscription and warfare we would now drop out by using drugs and resist by fragging our officers.  There are many who argue, and I tend to agree, that another draft would destroy the west.  World War 1 was a slaughterhouse on a level unparalleled even in Vietnam, and people for the most part pressed on with a stalwart resolution that earned them the title of the Great Generation.  In the battle of the Somme alone, the British had almost 60,000 casualties.... on the first DAY.  I think there has been incredible moral gains since this time, personally.  

And maybe I can point you in the direction of a few dramatic changes:  Russia is no longer communist, nor is China.  Europe hasn't had a war since, and the French and Germans of today find the prospect of fighting one another absurd.  The Western world no longer drafts their soldiers.  Communism is relegated to a niche in the West.  The idea of genocide is considered horrific.  Many countries, even the most socialistic countries, have had to adopt free marker practices even within limits.  For example, though the idea of socialism is popular thoughout latin America, most latin American countries have free trade zones set up to remain competitive.  China has had to emulate Hong Kong more than the other way around, for another example.  In the United States, people are actually questioning things like the Federal Reserve, previously an unknown amorphic conspiracy theory has become a very real and tangible political debate.  

 

And if I may: A new medium was also developed in the interim, along with the internet, with emphasis on individual agency (as well as problem-solving, co-op, and fun!) that affects our culture with a spirit of curiosity and expeditious (perhaps, in part, extemporaneous) possibility. 

[Anuojat]

Id say the state and ideologies are still there... but socialism has been washed up and now drying up again but it is like new short that has been washed too many tiems with blood. Even if it dryes out and is worn by people again the blood and mud irrationality of it (along with communism, facism and nationalism) is starting to permanently smell and thus people stay away from it.

 

From what i see is lot of "useful idiots" for the masters, that are no longer able to shoot each other quite as much if they get glimps of those people whom disagree.

 

Most people around the world need less time to see someone as a person. Sure state still fucks up people in schools, causes general mayhem and stokes people gibotry and so on (and work with companies to create crony capitalism and thus slow down progress of scoiety and especially the young and the family).

 

The internet, technology, science and general sense of being connected in many varied and often radically differant ways seems to have made one things clear for me about human race in relation to ideaologies and state of the world:

 

Humanity is dissillusioned. In dout of masters but is still blind to see whom the masters really are. And about half-blind to see that there are NO good masters.

[Josh F]

And if I may: A new medium was also developed in the interim, along with the internet, with emphasis on individual agency (as well as problem-solving, co-op, and fun!) that affects our culture with a spirit of curiosity and expeditious (perhaps, in part, extemporaneous) possibility. 

Sure.  And it isn't only one new technology.  Since WWI, people invented commercial and international air travel, which I think played a huge roll in helping to connect people as well.  The shipping lanes and international distribution of labor has continues to unite us.