Wars Steal the Future
The
ancient world was deeply engaged in wars and battles, which were often believed
to be fought not only for the glory of individuals but also for that of the
nation. Such conflicts were frequently justified as necessary for mobilizing
and uniting the people of a country. While these claims may appear valid on the
surface, many wars—even in ancient times—were driven by hidden motives. These
included the desire to seize land, exploit resources, and gain control over the
labor, wealth, and material assets of conquered territories. In many cases,
rulers waged wars to expand their domains and consolidate their power. These
conflicts inevitably brought death, destruction, and bloodshed, costing
countless lives and dismantling established social, economic, and political
structures. Over time, wars have been romanticized, producing narratives of
heroes and warriors, yet such glorification often obscures the devastating
human cost of conflict. As history progressed, warfare became increasingly
sophisticated and far more destructive. This is evident in global conflicts
such as World War I and World War II, as well as numerous smaller wars driven
by regionalism, imperialism, capitalism, and ideological struggles such as the
clash between capitalism and communism. Despite their scale and intensity, wars
have ultimately failed to resolve the fundamental problems of humanity.
It has long been
believed that wars bring destruction not only to men but also, and often more
severely, to women and children. However, it must now be added that the youth
of a country are among the most affected by conflicts and wars. War destroys
infrastructure, including employment opportunities, manufacturing sectors, and
production facilities; consequently, jobs become scarce, placing immense strain
on a country’s employment ratio. This resulting rise in unemployment exerts
significant pressure on the psychological, physical, and mental well-being of
young people, especially that currently pursuing education in universities,
colleges, and professional institutions. They often feel deeply distracted and
disillusioned, as they foresee a bleak future unless systems are rehabilitated
and restored. Although wars have occurred throughout human history, bringing
similar patterns of destruction, their impact today feels more intense. This is
largely because many people now depend on daily earnings for survival, spending
what they earn on a day-to-day basis. When war disrupts economic systems,
everything envisioned in the name of democracy and prosperity collapses,
placing enormous strain not only on the economy but also on the youth. One may
argue that war creates new professions and employment opportunities in
reconstruction and rehabilitation. However, such benefits are largely confined
to elite or capitalist classes, who accumulate greater profits in times of
crisis as Orwell argued that War against a foreign country only happens when
the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it. The burden,
meanwhile, falls disproportionately on young people from lower and middle
classes, who suffer due to inflation, shortages of supplies, reduced
production, and economic instability caused by rising import bills.
Moreover,
wars rarely resolve underlying problems. Historically, powerful states or
groups have initiated wars to gain territory, resources, or assert dominance.
In the process, countless innocent people who played no role in causing the
conflict, are killed, without satisfying the ambitions of those who wage war.
This reality is evident in the contemporary world, where conflicts in Ukraine,
Palestine, and Iran, among others, continue without meaningful resolution.
Smaller-scale conflicts across parts of Africa further reinforce this pattern
of perpetual instability. In such conditions, educational activities are
disrupted, prices of essential commodities rise, and production declines as
resources are diverted toward war efforts. Frustration, psychological distress,
and social instability increase, while literary, humanitarian, and social
development activities decline. Entire nations become consumed by conflict,
often taking decades to recover. While some capitalist states may benefit
economically through reconstruction efforts, these gains come at the cost of
increased debt burdens on war-affected countries, which must repay loans and
profits to external investors.
Ultimately,
war leads to widespread destruction with little to no meaningful gain.
Resources are depleted, prosperity is shattered, and both sides, when viewed
critically, achieve nothing of lasting value. Wars are therefore not solutions
but catalysts for further problems, particularly for young people. Many young
people seek to migrate from conflict zones, yet increasingly restrictive
immigration policies in Europe and North America make this difficult, leaving
them trapped in deteriorating conditions. It is therefore imperative that wars
not be used to resolve conflicts between nations. Instead, dialogue, rational
discourse, and diplomatic negotiations must be prioritized. History
demonstrates that solutions achieved through dialogue are more sustainable,
whereas those imposed through conflict often perpetuate further instability.
Indeed, many of the world’s ongoing crises today are the direct consequence of
wars that created more problems than they resolved.
