Clinger 1

Courtney Clinger

McLaughlin

English 12

09 March 2018

Religion Does Not Cause War, Globalization Does

Globalization, the act of extending to all or other points of the world, creates

controversies and disagreements based on outbreaks in wars seen all over the world.

Globalization is the real reason wars have sparked up in the past not because of religion like so

many claim. In reference to “Globalization Promotes War,” “Globalization creates conditions

that lead to war” (Staples​)​. World War II is a great example of globalization . Hitler wanted the

Germans to be the superior race and killed millions of innocent people because of it. Referencing

to “World War II History,” Of those “four hundred and sixty million people, six million were

Jews.” World War II may seem like it was based on religion as well as trying to have a pure

dominant race of people but, globalization best explains that Hitler was trying to better Germany

for global advancement and extending its borders. Globalization fuels the fire of war due to

economic gains, territorial gains, and to show nationalism.

War is mostly fought over economical disputes but also can mislead many to believe

religion is the reason to blame. Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Russia each wanted new

trade marks as well as materials and resources. They all represent globalization because of the

economical advancements they each have in common. Both the Axis Powers and The Allies

wanted to spread and increase their influences. This was the cause of World War I, and it was not
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due to religion sparking differences but for economical gain. However, many would claim most

wars were fought for religious reasons such as Thirty Years War and Nigerian Civil War. But in

fact those wars all have a similar background of how they started. Both wars were fought over

globalization. The more anyone looks into wars that seem to hold religious reasons as to why

wars started, they will discover that globalization and the means to expand is fought because of

the economical gain to better one's country.

War is also caused by territorial reasons and sometimes it may seem like a religious

battle. Often it is said that, “Globalization fuels means to wage war by protecting one’s self”

(Staples). Most countries are competing or trying to defend land and what it has to offer.

Referring back to “World War II”, Hitler invaded Poland and other countries trying to expand his

territory which defines the definition of globalization. He invaded these countries to try and

regain the territory for global advancements . Globalization has been around even with The

Crusades which was a battle between “Christians and Muslims over who controls land in

Jerusalem”(Phifer). According to text in “Religions of the World”, “The divine is to be found in

everything that exists”(​Bruilly​). Although their religion clashed causing the sparks for battle,

both sides were trying to gain not only control of Jerusalem but, for the territorial value it held.

Hence the reason why globalization is the actual reason for war, because both sides of The

Crusades battle wanted global advancement.

Nationalism is found in every country around the world. Nationalism is another example

of globalization because it is the act of extending globally for advancements. Nationalism is seen

in World War II when Germany invades Russia as well as East European Countries who were

seen as slaves. This is once again an example of globalization because Hitler was trying to
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extend his borders into other countries to gain advancements. Many claim that the reason

Germany invaded those countries was for statism, “any social system based on the notion that the

state has the right to force individuals to act against their judgement for the sake of some greater

good, for communism, the race, or God” (Biddle). But however, globalization best explains why

Hitler invaded other countries in order to better Germany so it could slowly keep globally

advancing.

There are several different reasons as to why war could start and outbreak. Out of those

several reasons religion however, does not seem to be the major cause of the majority of wars we

see today and in our pasts. The main reasons as to why countries go to war is due to

globalization. “Globalization is driving a global war economy creating conditions for tremendous

loss of human life” (Staples). Our world is changing each and everyday. Our resources are

getting even more limited as the days, weeks, and months pass by. Finding new land to use is

very few and far between. The tensions between each country continues to tighten as we face

everyday challenges. To say Religion is what causes most wars would be an understatement.

Globalization creates controversies and disagreements based on outbreaks in wars seen all over

the world. Globalization is the real reason wars have sparked up in the past due to global

advancements not because of religion.

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Works Cited

Avery, John. "The Causes of War: An Overview." ​War,​ edited by John Woodward, Greenhaven

Press, 2006. ​Current Controversies​. ​Opposing Viewpoints in Context​,

www.link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010428205/OVIC?u=pl2127&xid=ff3832b4.

Accessed 9 Jan. 2018. Originally published as "Eliminating the Cause of War,"

www.fredsakademiet.dk​, 21 Feb. 2005.

Biddle, Craig. “ The Causes of War and Those of Peace.”n.p., 2014.

www.theobjectivestandard.com/2014/10/causes-war-peace/. Accessed 9 Jan. 2018.

Bruilly, Elizabeth et al. “World Religions- Making Sense of Diversity.” ​Religions of the World,

edited by Martin Marty, New York., Facts on File Inc., 1997, pp. 1-160.

n.p.,“World War II.” ​history.com,​ 2009,

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history. Accessed 11 Jan. 2018.

Lurie, Alan. "Most Wars Have Been Fought for Secular, Not Religious, Reasons." ​War​, edited

by David Haugen, Greenhaven Press, 2014. Opposing Viewpoints. ​Opposing Viewpoints in

Context​, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010237278/OVIC?u=pl2127&xid=6e2cda24.

Accessed 9 Jan. 2018. Originally published as "Is Religion the Cause of Most Wars?"

Huffington Post​, 10 Apr. 2012.

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Phifer, Kenneth W. “Religion Causes War.” ​War​, edited by John Woodward, Greenhaven Press,

2006. ​Current Controversies​. ​Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

​http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010428208/OVIC?U=PL2127&XID=066EA48F.

Accessed 12 Jan. 2018. Originally published as “War, Peace and Religion,” 2003.

Staples, Steven. "Globalization Promotes War." ​Globalization​, edited by Louise I. Gerdes,

Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints. ​Opposing Viewpoints in Context​,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010382212/OVIC?u=pl2127&xid=21a53261.

Accessed 11 Jan. 2018. Originally published as "The Relationship Between Globalization

and Militarism," ​Social Justice​, vol. 27, Winter 2000, p. 18.