
World leaders and experts warn of the risk of a third world war. They point out several similarities between today's game plan and the periods before previous world wars. The conflict in Ukraine has escalated. Documents have been leaked about Russia's alleged plans to enter Moldova and the Baltics and increase its power in Belarus.
There are risks of a third world war. Chinese President Xi Jinping has become increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan. North Korea tests more missiles. Iran is getting closer to getting its own nuclear weapons. A decisive difference compared to previous world wars is that today's potential belligerents have access to nuclear weapons. There are risks of a third world war.
According to a history professor at Lund University, Vladimir Putin exhibits the same appetite for expansion as Hitler. Parallels seem to exist between the annexation of Crimea and Nazi Germany's entry into the Sudetenland. Putin believes that the EU and NATO are encircling Russia. At the same time, Beijing wants to become a new world political power player on a par with or stronger than the United States.
Source: https://www.svd.se/a/zExrkq/ett-ar-av-krig-i-ukraina-hur-stor-ar-risken-for-ett-nytt-varldskrig
Inequality and lack of resources risk of third world war
The risk of a third world war can depend on a number of factors. Historically, conflicts between states have often arisen because of territorial disputes, ideological differences or economic interests. In today's world, however, there are several factors that can increase the risk of conflict and thus the risk of a third world war.
Some risks of a third world war are inequality and social injustice. These can lead to political instability and conflicts within and between countries. Climate change can also increase the risk of conflict by influencing the availability of natural resources, e.g. oil, gas, precious metals, water and food, thereby increasing competition between countries and ethnic groups.
Today's neoliberalism wants to relocate low-wage jobs to certain countries and high-wage jobs and interest income to other countries. As China and Russia, which had many low-wage jobs, become stronger, they may want to challenge the West for its leadership role.
Government deficits and progressive taxation
Measures such as government deficits and progressive tax can help reduce inequality and thereby reduce the risk of social injustice and political instability. International cooperation can also contribute to reducing the risk of conflict by promoting peaceful coexistence and respect for each other's territorial integrity.
Abandoning growth as the goal of the economy can also be a solution. Degrowth can reduce pressure on natural resources and reduce competition between countries. Instead, one can focus on creating sustainable economic growth that takes environmental and social factors into account.
In summary, increased inequality and reduced natural resources can increase the risk of conflict and thus the risk of a third world war. Actions that promote peace, justice and sustainability can help reduce this risk.
Otherwise, there will be aggressiveness from both parties. One cannot be blamed, the escalation is mutual and is fueled by mutual suspicion (see e.g. Minda Holm, Norwegian Institute of Foreign Affairs, https://www.nupi.no/en/publications/cristin-pub/mutual-lack-of-introspection-and-the-russia-factor-in-the-liberal-west), and it can be canceled only by a reciprocal step-down.
It has been done before, in the 60s e.g. So it should be possible again. But then it requires pressure from people in general on the political establishments. And it seems to sit deep today.
All powers must cooperate for disarmament, peaceful cooperation and disarmament.
In any case, it seems that China, India, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, the Pope and now also Indonesia want a negotiated solution to the Ukraine war, but that the NATO countries are resisting and want a proper Russian defeat first. Which is unlikely to happen for many years. And meanwhile, Ukraine is being bombed to pieces.
In general, both parties (ie Russia and NATO) in this conflict have locked themselves in what some researchers call moral positioning, i.e. one portrays oneself as Good while one's opponent is portrayed as Evil. Which is the exact opposite of disarmament and peaceful cooperation. Instead, the conflicts build up.
By unilaterally portraying Russia, China, etc., (ie the NATO countries' economic competitors) as aggressive, you yourself contribute to rearmament. Try to understand that the aggressiveness exists on both sides.