Wealth, Stability, and Peace

As empirically observed in history over the years, one might consider it safe to say that economics and politics are dominant forces in the pursuit of peace. Countries with strong industry, economy, and work force increase their production and enable themselves to trade and attain wealth. However, if a society is struggling with poverty and poor economic growth, its members may likely, in effect, be miserable and dissatisfied with their standard of living, as they will be plagued by poor education, health care, infrastructure, and job prospects. This situation then becomes a chain reaction that causes political unrest, as people will revolt against these circumstances and demand improvements of their government. However with wealth, prosperity and resources would help establish political stability within a nation and between other nations. Because the lesser the inequality, the greater the stability, economic and social development would lead to a wealthy and peaceful society, as seen in modern Germany. After World War I Germany was suffering from unemployment and inflation, causing unrest among the people and subsequent vulnerability to the aggression of Hitler. In today’s time, with a more egalitarian, wealthy society, Germany is a far more stable and prosperous country. A human being is motivated by his needs, large parts of which are based on consumption. When these needs are met through wealth he will feel more content and satisfied, and he will be less likely to engage in violence, theoretically speaking. Yet, poverty leads to feelings of dissatisfaction, deprivation, and resentment, which would lead to resistance and revolt, consequently endangering peace. For this reason, wealth would promote internal peace within a nation.

The problem might be solved externally, as well, because wealthy nations with a high standard of living have more to lose than poorer countries, as the economic and financial ties with other nations would be damaged in war. As a result, these wealthier nations would likely be more reluctant to show aggressive behavior toward other nations. Additionally, the nation’s citizens would be less likely to support wars that would conclude in a disturbance of the peace. This theory might be especially pertinent to democratic nations, supporting the notion that political and economical equality promotes peace.