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الرئيسية/أبحاث طلاب/The Art of Internal Wars is Establishing Peace


The Art of Internal Wars is Establishing Peace

عدد المشاهدات : 19

حرر بتاريخ : 2024/03/04





The Art of Internal Wars is Establishing Peace

Contents

Introduction

National peace, with its internal and external pillars, is an indispensable factor for achieving success in comprehensive development in order to build the renaissance and development of nations. It is impossible to imagine a nation that is in conflict with itself and within which the boat of life moves normally or that coexists in peace with its counterparts. As Ibn Khaldun said: “Nations have many difficulties, It is rare for a state to control it.”

Throughout the ages, all of humanity, in most of its continents and countries, has witnessed internal conflicts under the weight of various motives and causes in each of them. These conflicts gradually erupted, erupting politically here, ethnically sectarianly there, and socio-economically there, until they claimed the lives of nearly thirty million people. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, these conflicts have crystallized, their ideology has changed, and their victims, injured, and displaced people have remained constant, depending on the type of conflict, which has come to fall under the name of internal war or what is known as civil war.

In our research, the problem that is raised is represents in the question that revolves around the concept of internal wars, their motives, and ways to prevent them, meaning to what extent do internal wars require knowledge of their motives and causes and how to reduce them?

This problem results in a set of questions, which we present as follows :

  • -What is the definition of wars?
  • -What are the motives that lead to internal wars?
  • -What are the motives that lead to internal wars?
First Branch: The General Framework of War

  • Firstly: The concept of wars

    It is said that nations are born from wars and that war can lead to the end of nations. War is the result of the cessation of dialogue, intensifying and flaring up after the absence of communication and understanding. However, it remains a means, not an end in itself. The purpose behind the demand is to achieve goals, whether good or evil, true or false, each from its own perspective. Conflict or armed violence are the true rooted meanings of war in its two forms: either international, causing destruction on a wide scale, involving multiple parties based on an armed conflict between a group of different nations over political, economic, or social interests… or internal, civil, based on internal armed infighting between factions or groups within the same country. In one of the parties, there is a tendency that does not lead him to accept another party against him or to be neutral. Dissatisfaction or non-acceptance of this difference and the expansion of its fields and arenas lead to internal violence .

    Any armed conflict that takes place between two or more countries is classified under the term international war, while every armed conflict that takes place within the framework of one state, regardless of its causes and repercussions, is called an internal war, not including riots and acts of unarmed violence .

    • 1-International wars:

      It is impossible for humans to live in peace. From 3000 years BC until our present time, history has been embodied in a series of endless wars, and one of these series is international conflicts in which armed forces from two or more countries that are persons of public international law are involved over a legal issue or direct incident, or a conflict of economic, political, or military interests, and their legal arguments differ regarding it, and it may last days or years . Occupation, whatever its duration, falls under the heading of international war, whether it faces armed resistance or not.

      Taking a comprehensive view of international wars throughout history, we conclude that most of their causes revolve around the desire to annexation of lands or greed to control minerals and oil. It may be retaliation for a previous insult that befell a country, as is the case with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a desire on the part of Russia to increase its territory and status .

      The great decrease in population is necessary for war in all its fields, as wars cause the loss of the lives of individuals, both civilians and soldiers, which generates a great human tragedy, not to mention the severe injuries and physical disability of the survivors of the scourge of war who are in permanent disability, and its psychological and mental effects . Simply by looking at the numbers of each war Individually, we find that it is catastrophic, ranging from millions to millions, while the material losses are estimated at billions. After the war ends, an intertwined economic war begins, from the destruction of infrastructure and economic facilities reaching to economic deterioration and high rates of unemployment and poverty. A clear example of this is the prominent impact that World War I had on the Russian economy, which in turn contributed greatly to the beginning of the Russian Revolution at year 1917 AD- 1335 AH .

    • 2 -Civil Wars:

      It is a type of collapse that affects the existing social and political system in a country, such that a group of individuals, whether a tribe, ethnic group, linguistic, cultural, religious, social, economic, political, or anything else, engages in conflict with other groups to achieve certain goals .

      Despite the difference in motives, they share the heavy toll of victims due to both parties’ knowledge of each other, the adoption of guerrilla warfare, often in the streets, and the participation of military and civilians in it, which makes it extremely harmful, with its first civilian victims . A tragic witness to this is the civil wars that befell Lebanon in 1975 AD - 1395 AH, which left a deep rift in the Lebanese fabric, dividing it into parties and sects that sets itself apart from others until the present time after a bloody war that lasted for fifteen years and resulted in the deaths of 120,000 people .

      By analogy, the Black Decade in Algeria and the military coup against it, which lasted from 1991 AD - 1411 AH until 2002 AD - 1422 AH , passing through Yemen, whose areas were inflamed by the Houthis, charged with Iranian ideology, which opened armed clashes between the Houthi forces and the Yemeni forces that led Yemen to the ravages of poverty and deterioration of living conditions economically, socially and healthy … Syria has the wolf's biggest share in the grindstones of internal wars and their tragedies. How could it not, since it claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of martyrs, and millions of missing and displaced people, based on simple peaceful demands whose sparks spread until an internal war broke out, destroying everything green and dry, not caring about stones or people, in addition to tearing apart the social fabric. And the country's economic situation, the growing destruction of the infrastructure with the continuation of the war, the paralysis of the wheel of progress, the collapse of the living and health care system, and the near absence of basic services, most notably electricity and fuel . The latest civil war has been taking place in brotherly Sudan for seven months, including a conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces , claiming the lives of more than twelve thousand people and displacing more than 7.2 million people .

      The Western civil wars have a history and a long record, from the fratricidal wars between Alfonso , King of Leon, and Sancho , King of Castile, 1067 AD-1072 AD/459 AH-464 AH, through to the Norwegian War and the Two Roses in England, and Onin in Japan, all the way to the Yugoslav Civil War and the Nepalese Civil War , including the Korean War, which had the greatest impact, which broke out in the year 1950 AD, violating most of human rights and the Geneva Convention by all parties. This is documented with pictures and documents of massacres for which no one responsible was tried or This war is still pending after the division of the two Koreas due to the failure to sign a peace treaty between them .

  • Secondly: Motives for internal wars

    If interactions collapse in the structure of one society, one nation, children of one destiny, internal civil wars will break out, which is what our noble Lord forbade us from when He Almighty said: ((And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.))) . The motives behind the outbreak of wars, and the nature of these conflicts, vary from time to time and from one society to another, and thus the method of managing them and varies deal with it according to the culture, advancement and progress of societies.

    • 1-Social and economic reasons:

      Social causes, in all their aspects, have a role in the outbreak of tension, the low standard of living and the spread of poverty spark wars. The poor are firewood fueled by deprivation ،, collapsing under the weight of hunger, ignorance, and lack of money or its absence at times, which gave rise to what is called the war on poverty. In order to fight poverty and hunger, it collapses. Countries and governments are continuing to grow in their new soil, the wishes and dreams of the poor .

      On the other side, we find administrative corruption, that malignant tumor that eats away at the social fabric in all its various manifestations and forms. It is one of the factors that kindles conflicts in developing and developed societies. The issue is a pathological condition that must be uprooted , Bureaucracy, excessive governmental administrative centralization, and the weakness of legislative, executive, and judicial authorities and the psychological and moral corruption of officials, bribery and privatization , and the absence of constitutions and manipulation of them weakened the citizen’s sense of his rights, causing frustration and distrust. Political parties, pluralism, and a free press were absent. National participation was weakened. Legitimate texts, historical documents, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were bypassed, and all agreements were overlooked. Thus, those who held the right and those who spoke out for it, through their tongues or pens, were captured in obscurity and prisons, the scourges of suffering and the groans of injustice were fiery screams, the fragments of which exploded into wars and conflicts .

      The bitter historical truth about the motives of various wars does not ignore the economic factor, which is considered an important driver of bitter conflicts and fierce battles here and there. In the Arab world alone, where the sparks of wars fly, even if the economy is not the basis for them, it is one of their drivers . Environmental resources have been identified as a cause. Possibility of violent conflict. In the United Nations report for the year 1987 AD - 1407 AH, under the title “Our Common Future,” it was unanimously agreed that conflict over resources is a factor fueling wars and that it is one of its tools, and that economic dependence on oil, gas, and minerals is unequal and weakens societies, imposes rebellion, and creates crises and wars . Corruption and the absence of justice in distributing income to satisfy the stomachs of millions of poor people is an element that cannot be ignored, as in Sudan, where the rebel parties in the south and west feel that the north is seizing wealth and harnessing it to its people, leaving their regions, the source of wealth, neglected. Violence has become a driver of controlling matters after sensing that the resources are in the hands of elites who do not It meets economic demands in a fair manner, and this is what occurs in societies when parties control important resources such as natural water resources, agricultural areas, gas fields, energy sources, and so on, and monopolize them at the expense of marginalizing other parties .

      The impact of globalization has exacerbated the divide among social elites, triggered conflicts, and civil wars. These upheavals have turned Arab countries into private estates ruled by unaccountable masters, devoid of rights or laws. Globalization has evoked strong reactions from social forces, not only in developing and impoverished nations but also in major industrialized countries. Workers and the working classes, sensing the threat posed by open global competition, fear the relocation of job opportunities to low-cost production countries. This concern extends beyond the developing world to the industrialized nations. The open investments that promise economic growth also endanger employment opportunities, contribute to rising unemployment rates, and increase pressure on productive segments of society. As wages decline, social and civic relationships unravel, and the economic role diminishes under the influence of external globalization logic .

    • 2-Religious and Political Reasons:

      Human nature has an inherent tendency toward bias, which has persisted throughout history. Religious affiliations, with their foundations and data, often become entrenched biases that transform into forces of dominance and conquest. When these religious affiliations enter the realm of political conflict, armed with the legitimacy of religious claims, the struggle begins . Each religious group vies for control over the state, its territories, hierarchies, and resources, often disrupting the balance among different sects. The result is often resorting to violence. The current situations in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen serve as vivid examples of the conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. In Syria, the civil war has escalated into a fierce sectarian conflict fueled by a sense of sectarian threat and purification in many regions. These countries have transformed into battlegrounds for sectarian strife, influenced by both internal and external factors. Unfortunately, religion has been misused, leading to bloody wars fought in its name, causing devastation and radicalization, ultimately intensifying animosity toward different faiths and giving rise to extremism and terrorism.

Second Branch: Preventive methods to deter manifestations of this infighting

  • Firstly: Peaceful methods to reduce the manifestations of internal wars

    Sun Tzu said, “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle and the wise warrior is the one who avoids the fight" .

    Peace is better than war, and convergence is better than divergence, so it was necessary to find tools to mend the rift before it erupted. Peace is one of the beautiful names of Allah, it is the greeting of Muslims, and the call of all the prophets, peace be upon them, and the way to it is various ways until we make people aware, realizing, elevated, builders not destroyers, and it is achieved through various methods and measures such as activating the authority of justice and adopting democracy, and cooperation and communication in all societal aspects to achieve a common feasibility that achieves social cohesion, consolidates the economy, establishes the bonds of coexistence, repels sedition and cuts off every thorny issue that touches the security of society and undermines its stability and drags it towards violence .

    When we preserve freedoms, and build a state of law and institutions in which everyone is equal, and provide security, prosperity, and stability, we build a barrier against rebellion and satisfaction prevails, and hatred and grudges are abolished .

    Prevention is a long-term process that requires the concerted efforts of all social components and efforts to reach a state of stability on all levels by establishing the foundations of peaceful coexistence, holding seminars and conferences calling for peace and shedding light on the horrors of wars and their repercussions and consequences and urging the use of reason and not being dragged behind false emotion.

    • 1-Promoting Peaceful Coexistence within a Single Country :

      Frank Borman said, “When you reach the moon and look back at Earth, you’ll realize that we are indeed one world. So why can’t we learn to coexist as respectful individuals?”

      Peaceful coexistence is central to managing diversity within society, achieving harmony, and progress. It embodies the relationships among individuals within communities .

      The Universal Declaration of Human Rights emphasizes that the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace lies in recognizing equal rights for all individuals without discrimination based on culture, ethnicity, color, language, religion, identity, sexual orientation, or political affiliation .

      Promoting peaceful coexistence in societies requires several measures. Parliaments, as representatives of the people, play a crucial role in expressing concerns, addressing grievances, meeting needs, protecting rights, and leading by example. Cultural diversity should be enhanced through interfaith, interracial, and intercultural dialogues, encouraging democracy, balance, and inclusivity across society .

      If nations fortify themselves with the shield of coexistence, driven by genuine conviction and a desire rooted in human essence, and work diligently toward achieving it, bridging divides, life will stabilize. Security, stability, justice, and equality will prevail .

      In our era of technology, which has permeated every household, the world has become a small village. Media outlets, when managed responsibly, can serve as catalysts for peace, awareness, and love, rather than spreading toxicity and fueling conflict .

    • 2-Awareness through Research Centers and Conferences:

      Civil society institutions play an essential role in shaping public opinion by revealing facts and highlighting the pitfalls of various issues. Through research and conferences, they encourage avoiding the perils of war and its clutches. Most community-oriented populations are inherently against violence. Here lies the opportunity to harness this sentiment by shedding light on vivid, real-life evidence of the consequences of bloody conflicts and security breakdowns. When prudent political leadership is absent, the societal awareness steps in to guide the course of affairs. Learning from successful examples, such as Slovakia’s peaceful separation from the Czech Republic without a single drop of bloodshed or Singapore’s peaceful secession from Malaysia, is crucial. These models should be disseminated, and their emulation advocated during necessary conferences within communities. Understanding conflict management policies and steering clear of failure, regardless of the crisis, becomes paramount. The call is for reform, dispelling conspiracies and grudges, and addressing internal divisions within our societies. Raising awareness is a societal imperative, especially given the rapid changes we face. Cultivating awareness, insightful vision, and enlightened thinking targets all components of society: creators, experts, artists, journalists, intellectuals, and anyone capable of fostering awareness .

      As wars and conflicts pose the gravest challenges to societies, civil society must disseminate awareness and educate about the importance of peace. Awareness campaigns should promote dialogue, tolerance, and alertness to conflict risks while building trust among community constituents and reinforcing respect for human rights .

      Awareness is not mere words or superficial discussions; it is the dissemination of facts and the acquisition of knowledge. This ongoing battle, fought without warfare, plants progress in our reality through all available platforms and diverse methods. The echoes of informed campaigns should flow abundantly, countering the threats that menace our communities, perpetually correcting the course with opposing awareness .

  • Secondly: Sovereign Ways to Avoid Internal Wars

    Throughout history, wars have been a constant in human society, under various circumstances and changes, and are considered a part of nature. This belief has persisted in the minds of some politicians and state leaders from ancient times to the present. However, the severe consequences of war have shaken the foundations of thought in societies at large, and among leaders and politicians in particular. It has become imperative for decision-makers and those in charge of steering the affairs of societies, both leaders and officials, to work diligently towards avoiding wars and fostering a culture of peace. This can be achieved through various means, most importantly by reducing arms races, disarming, and imposing restrictions on the use of arms, even for peaceful purposes. This was clarified by Adib Abi Daher in his book "The Arms Trade: Secrets and Numbers," which states that disarmament serves the interests of societies by saving money and energy and securing stability. Furthermore, adopting a democratic approach as a behavior in domestic policies and containing the avenues of division and the gateways of strife is essential .

    With a pivotal equation that everyone declares, the pull of nations toward the abyss of war has consistently traced back to the government. It emanates from the government and its policies. It is incumbent upon the government to uphold the rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals through various means, stabilize social, economic, and political conditions, provide guarantees to all citizens, and ensure their effective enjoyment of these liberties and rights.

    A state that safeguards its citizens’ right to protection, security, freedom of belief, expression of opinions, participation in politics, and public life, alongside economic and social rights, by fulfilling the aspirations of the people and establishing justice, becomes a fortified state immune to the snares of war.

    • 1-Achieving the Aspirations of the People by the State:

      One of the most successful, shortest, and most effective ways to prevent conflicts and quell the flames of war is by fulfilling the desires and requirements of the people by their own countries. Naturally, people, with their diverse population characteristics, developmental patterns, and social and cultural systems, seek a better future that ensures dignified lives within their homelands. This includes enjoying social contracts based on citizenship and the participation of all segments in the political scene without discrimination. Additionally, it involves increasing income and achieving prosperity and progress, as seen in oil-rich nations .

      The youth hold a significant role in society; they are its heart, engine, and pulse. Governments create productive individuals out of them, either as productive workers or as volatile volcanoes. This is achieved by providing educational opportunities, employment prospects, and economic integration within their communities. Supporting youth initiatives and expanding their participation in public life is crucial because they are best equipped to realize the aspirations of the people. Progress hinges on innovation, and innovation is the legitimate offspring of youth. Another important factor not to be overlooked is minorities. Their unique characteristics should be respected, allowing them to engage in societal components, preventing them from becoming a spark of discord that ignites and unravels the social fabric .

      The needs of the people are dynamic and ever-increasing. Governments must recognize this reality and harness all resources to serve their citizens, starting from basic necessities to loftier goals. Modern education, provided in less crowded schools with better quality, is a pressing demand for most citizens. Its effectiveness lies in shaping societal thought, enlightenment, creating a conducive environment for investment, work, and innovation, and encouraging productivity and the establishment of economic and investment projects .

      Achieving the people’s aspirations by the state is a complex matter that requires consideration of multiple facets. The state plays a decisive role in fulfilling the people’s aspirations by providing essential services, maintaining security, enhancing social justice, promoting economic development, and actively listening to citizens. These efforts may include improving public services, enhancing transparency and accountability, and encouraging political participation .

    • 2-Establishing justice across all segments of society:

      The most magnificent principle of justice, after the Holy Quran, lies in the verse: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”

      This principle of equality was affirmed by Abu Bakr As-Siddiq to establish a society where justice and equality prevail, where oppression is eradicated, and where every seeker of rights can access them without hindrance or cost. He said, may Allah be pleased with him, “The weak among you is strong in my sight until I return his right, God willing. And the strong among you is weak in my sight until I take the right from him, God willing .”

      Justice is the ultimate goal for which Allah sent messengers and revealed scriptures. It is the foundation of legal systems, the cornerstone of stability for nations and peoples in their livelihoods, security, and achievements. Justice represents the relative balance between excess and deficiency, moderation and fairness between parties, and the avoidance of injustice toward oneself or others. It is the basis upon which rights are built without flaw or contradiction. Justice and rights are inseparable concepts; separating them reveals flaws in rights .

      Human diversity, whether in tribes, individuals, or groups, is not a criterion for acquiring rights. Rather, every individual, regardless of their background, has an equitable share in rights and is bound by duties .

      Justice safeguards nations and shields them from the clutches of war. It directly contributes to their reconstruction. A notable example is during the caliphate of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz. When an official wrote to him, complaining about the state of the country and its ruin, Umar responded with a letter saying, “After understanding your letter and the mention of your city’s destruction, read my letter, and fortify it with justice .”

      Justice brings tranquility among members of society. When individuals obtain their rights through just rulings, they feel content. When justice prevails over oppressors, society remains cohesive and supportive. Prosperity flourishes, and goodness permeates the community. Injustice, exploitation, and oppression—the catalysts for conflicts—are eradicated .

      Given the paramount importance of justice, it permeates every aspect of state affairs. The state bears the responsibility of maintaining justice across various domains to ensure a cohesive society. These domains include:

      • 1. Social Justice
      • 2. Economic Justice
      • 3. Judicial or Legal Justice
      • 4. Political Justice

Conclusion

Through this study, we aimed to clarify the meanings of wars, both on an international and internal level. We explored the social, economic, political, and religious motivations and causes driving wars. We also discussed methods and approaches that mitigate conflict and encourage peaceful coexistence, such as promoting awareness and the state’s role in achieving justice across different segments of society.

Wars are an undesirable choice, regardless of their justifications. Non-violence remains the wiser and more peaceful option in various times and circumstances. It is our duty to build a culture of peace through education, knowledge formation, beliefs, and values. The first choice should always be peace.

While victory in war may be possible for one side, true peace can only be achieved through consensus. As we recognize the horrors and consequences of war, we must actively learn about peace, strive for it, and explore its pathways.

Despite differing opinions among thinkers—some viewing war as historical inevitability—the lesson from history is clear: war is one of the harshest lessons, and it should remain etched in our memory due to the enduring wounds it inflicts. Its impact persists as long as humanity exists. Regardless of individual temperaments and preferences, let our collective motto be: “No more war.”

Results

  • 1. War is a historical phenomenon experienced by most societies.
  • 2. Wars do not occur spontaneously; they have causes and motivations.
  • 3. We can prevent wars through various means.
  • 4. Both the state and civil society institutions play a significant role in achieving peace.

Recommendations

  • 1. Promote a Culture of Peace.
  • 2. Raise Awareness Against Wars.
  • 3. Activate Civil Society Organizations.
  • 4. Engage in Diplomacy in Various Forms.
  • 5. Enhance Comprehensive Political Democracy.
  • 6. Foster Genuine Will to Work for Peace.
  • 7. Recognize the Detriment of Entering Wars and Their High Costs.
  • 8. Adapt Policies and Gather Information to Build Trust and Foster Reconciliation Between Nations and Peoples.

List of sources and references

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