There is a direct correlation between peace and money. This is, of course, not the only element affecting peace, but it certainly plays a large part.
If we define peace as harmony, we can look at what it means from several levels of society. Peace for an individual will be unique to that person’s interpretation of discord and what level of disruption to harmony they are able to accept before peace morphs into a state that no longer conforms to their perceptions. From a general perspective, peace at the individual level will likely involve various elements such as family life, work life, financial situations, social health, environmental health, educational opportunities, and physical health. When we look at each of these elements, we can find the potential for a financial link. For example, family life will certainly look very different for a family who is fully financially independent then one who is unsheltered. The ability to afford fresh water, food, and clean air are often more readily available to those with the financial means to attain them. Peace as defined as harmony is clearly impacted by the lifestyle money affords. When we extrapolate our discussions to a broader perspective, we can consider peace and money at a national. Nationally, diverse amounts of wealth are often centered on locality to some degree. Affluent communities can afford to pursue an education, buy better healthcare, gain a balance between work and home life, and support community betterment projects to retain the opportunities in their area. It becomes a cycle. Alternatively, lower income areas often have higher crime rates as the inhabitants struggle to afford the essentials. Educational options are significantly lower for those with less money. Loans may be an option, but the interest can leave the borrowers with a lifetime of debt and that’s if they can even get approved for a loan. Certainly, there is a peace of mind that comes with having financial means. Expanding further to the international view, we note how we have historically labeled certain countries as first world nations, developing countries, or third world countries. These terms are rather derogatory, demoralizing, and stereotyping depictions. What we can learn though is that money is front and central in the eyes of the world’s nations and money is equated to power, control, respect, fear, capability, and strength. The quest for increasing these elements is almost always a factor present in areas of turmoil and war. The hinderance to peace is not the money itself, but rather the tools it provides to a locale with the desire to elicit the aforementioned elements. Let’s look at wealth redistribution for a moment. If we take the money of the approximately 78 million people who make up the 1% of wealth in the world, the sum of wealth would be approximately $200 trillion. If we assign each of these 78 million individuals $1 million, we will have $78 trillion that they would keep, and the excess wealth would be around $122 trillion. That could go a long way in improving the financial picture around the globe. As of February 2024, the US gave $18.3 billion to Ukraine for security assistance which includes training, equipment, weapons, and logistics support. Another $23.5 billion was allocated for weapons and equipment, and $4.5 billion for grants and loans for weapons and equipment. Together, that totals $46.3 billion for directly enabling humans to kill other humans. Another 26.4 billion was sent to Ukraine for budgetary aid for economic support and loans. Only $1.6 billion was for direct humanitarian aid to provide food, health care, and refugee support. Of the $74.3 billion sent to Ukraine, only 2.15% was for humanitarian aid. If we look at what the U.S. government Department of Defense budget from 2023, we see a total of $851.8 billion. That’s enough to lift every U.S. citizen out of poverty for a year. Now, let’s set this all on a stage of reality. The top 1% are not going to give up their excess wealth, the U.S. will continue supporting foreign countries despite our own national debt, and the U.S. will continue funding the DOD. Regardless of my or anyone else’s desire to see funding managed differently, the truth is that unless every single country stops attempting to excerpt power, control, and fear, and stops attempting to expand the land they own, nothing will change. Money can enable war and murder. It can also promote peace and well-being. The allocation of the money is what determines which one it will impact most. Sadly, the first is far more funded. We stand for peace and hope that others will recognize the perpetual loop of funding war, weapons, and murder.
0 Comments
The media projects a worldview constructed of war, violence, death, tragedy, struggle, inequality, and a long list of other dreadful descriptors. The gross inaction to these partly reflects the desensitization of humanity. Most people are so busy trying to survive on low pay and high bills that they are left without time and resources to incite change, even if they have kept hope for a brighter future alive. Those with more lucrative incomes are less likely to recognize the perils around them. So, what, then, are the answers? How do we move toward peace? Those answers are far more involved than I will dive into here, but I suggest that a step in the right direction is for everyone to live and let live. If another person is doing something you disagree with, ask yourself if they harm anyone by their actions or choices. If they truly are, it may warrant engaging in some action. If they are not, then while one can have their opinion, one must respect differences.
One thing is certain, war is not the answer to solving problems. We stand opposed to war! Treating Hayden with respect, and kindness has led to him showing respect and kindness to others. I show him love and consider his thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I ensure he knows that he is valuable. Mistakes are a stepping stone to learning and growing. Punishments do not exist in this house. Love, understanding, discussions, and a growth mindset move us along. This style of parenting fosters intrinsic good behavior. When one is motivated by love, one learns to encourage others through love. Punishments yield shame, guilt, feelings of inferiority, diminishment of self-confidence, and a constant need to act as others wish. It destroys free thought, authentic self, maturity of thought, ingenuity, and progress.
|
Archives
April 2024
Categories |