Armed conflict has negative impacts and remains a prominent global problem. It causes immense loss of life for both military and civilians, as well as huge financial costs and environmental damage. Historical examples include WWII, which resulted in over 20 million military and 27 million civilian casualties and cost trillions, and the ongoing Afghanistan conflict. Conflict theory holds that those in power dictate society, and examples show how leaders like Hitler and Churchill rose to and maintained power. However, increasing global connections through technologies are empowering people to resolve differences and work towards positive change, as shown through social media's role in the Egyptian revolution. Uniting peoples may offer a solution by allowing positive influences like Gandhi to create a more cooperative world.

1. Armed Conflict:
Contributing to Negative
Impacts in the World.
A presentation by Henry Baillie-Brown

2. What is Armed Conflict?
Armed Conflict is (from the dictionary) a conflict carried on
by force of arms, as between nations or between parties
within a nation; warfare, as by land, sea, or air.
Affects military, civilian populations, economy, technology,
environment, etc…
Remains to be a prominent problem in society today.

3. Historical Example: WWII
World wide conflict
Over 20 million military, and 27 million civilian casualties.
World’s Largest conflict to date
Starting 1939 and ending 1945 (approx. 6 years)
Cost trillions of dollars in damages.
Heavy environmental damages across
the globe.

4. Modern Day Example:
Afghanistan 2001-2012
(Invasion) 2001-present day
USA-led invasion to stop “Weapons of mass destruction”.
158 Canadian solders killed to date.
Almost 20,000 civilians killed.
Today: Mission to empower the
people of Afghanistan.

5. Problems with Armed Conflict
Kills number of military personnel, as well as an untold
number of possible civilian casualties as well.
Causes huge financial costs on economy, and creates
debt.
Untold environmental damages to the planet.
Creates division within people.
Hate, greed, gluttony and other negative emotions.
No real Societal advancement.

6. Environmental Devastation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuGv9Tb5bNA

7. War and Conflict Theory
Conflict Theory states that: Society is held together by the
ones with the most power and accepts their societal
conventions as the “norm”.
Society is never completely stable, and relies on conflict
for balance between powers.
Society run by those in power.
Those in power gain their power by portraying their
society’s views.
(Bankston, 2000).

8. Example of Conflict Theory in
WWII
Church Hill and Adolf Hitler both historical leaders. (Vest,
2011).
Both powerful and high in the social totem pole.
While they had opposing views of each other, both rose to
power due to them reflecting their society’s beliefs.

9. Possible Solutions
Historically, Wars have always had a “winner”. Example:
Allies during WWII.
War has changed, with introduction of nuclear weapons,
modern technologies and knowledge, there may not be
anything left if there is another world war. (The Campaign
for, 2012).
While Conflict theory states that one person has the
power, today, the people have the power.
Social Media, world wide news, the internet and other
technologies have brought people closer together than
ever before.

10. Connecting people + Bringing
Them Together.
An example of the power of connecting is when the
Egyptian government fell from protests created by social
media.
“I certainly do not think he would have left office at this
point if it wasn't for social networking tools, […] Because
of that, Mubarak and his regime felt they had no other
choice than to step down. […] When Egyptians who
wanted Mubarak and his administration out began to
mobilize, they turned to social networks, specifically
Facebook.
(Gaudin, 2011).

11. People Come Together to
Create a Better World
The following video is an excellent example of what the
world can be like when we are connected and resolve our
differences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-U0pMpYFJY

13. Coming Together for Tomorrow
“Be a change if you wish to see
change in the world.” – Mahatama
Gandhi
An Excellent story that shows the
power of a united peoples is that of
Gandhi. While imprisoned for standing
up for what he believed in (human
rights) due to him standing his ground,
he gained support from millions around
the world, eventually ending up with
his release and changing the world into
the one we know today where diversity
and cohesion between peoples is of
utmost importance. (M.K. Gandhi
Institute, 2013).

14. Conclusion
Armed Conflicts have a negative impact on the world.
Conflict Theory States that those who are in power dictate
the balance and direction of society.
Possible solutions to conflict is the unification of the
people of the world.
Just like the story of Gandhi, when people stand up for
what they believe in, they can help make a positive
change to the world.

15. Works Cited
Bankston, C. L. (2000). Sociology Basics. Pasadena, Calif: Salem Press.
Gaudin, S. (2011). Social networks credited with role in toppling Egypt's
Mubarak. Computer World. Date Accessed: November 29, 2013. Retrieved
from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9209159/Social_networks_credited
_with_role_in_toppling_Egypt_s_Mubarak
M.K. Gandhi Institute. (2013). Our Mission. M.K. Gandhi Institute. Retrieved
from:http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/who-we-are/our-mission/
The Campaign for a Nuclear Weapons Free World. (2012). Learn.
Retrieved from: http://nuclearweaponsfree.org/learn/
Vest, R. (2011). Winston and Adolf: Parallels and Contrasts. Indiana
University Southeast. Retrieved from:
http://homepages.ius.edu/RVEST/ChurchHitler.htm