214
Different experts give different explanation to
the unprecedented violence in the twentieth century. World War II, for example, is explained with
economic crisis and the occurrence of fascism.
Germany, however, was already over the crisis
when invaded Poland. In general, it can be stated
that economic problems result in war more rarely
than other reasons.
According to Ferguson (2006), there were
three fundamental causes of the extremely violent war in the twentieth century, World War II.
1. Ethnic conflicts gained new momentum
because the advanced assimilation process
was interrupted. Revival of conflicts was
encouraged by theories of hereditary racial
differences. Hermann Göring called World
War II the “great racial war”.
2. Instable economic situation as the second reason of war meant the degree and frequency of
changes in the economic growth, prices, interest rates and employment and associated
social tension. Not poor economic performance was to be blamed necessarily, even so,
in the case of Germany the economy was
growing.
3. Collapse of multinational European empires
that had dominant roles at the turn of the
twentieth century (declining empires: Turkish,
Russian) while new empires (Soviet, Japanese,
German) were emerging.
Ferguson (2006) also analyses in detail the
fate of the minorities of the states and the socalled new racial issue, that is otherwise a nonsense in biological terms which was declared by
Ferguson as well. It is acknowledged though that
racism became the decisive ideology in Germany
at that time. Ferguson (2006) considers all the
more important the increase of violence against
minorities and certain social groups within states.
Stalin, for example, applied force against national
minorities and the “internal enemy” of socialism.
Nazis turned against Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals with the known brutality.
Ethnic groups are units of people formed historically who are aware of their affinity as a folk
and express this using an ethnic name, they speak
a common language and certain rituals and customs bind them. Ethnic groups being in minority
may expose themselves to danger if they refuse
assimilation. Events in the history could increase
the opposition of minorities to the majority.
Tension may rise among ethnic groups if one of
them becomes more successful than the rest in a
growing market period due to its network of confidence, and thus antipathy of other ethnic groups
is obtained (e.g. Armenians in the Turkish Empire,
Jews in Central and Eastern Europe). It was also
proved that economic dominance gives no protection for the given ethnic group against genocide.
In this respect, political representation, i.e. power
is crucial, as those in power can deprive an ethnic
group from its rights, property and even life.
Persecution of minorities may have other reasons as well: Roma people belonged and still
belong to the poorest in most countries, yet Nazis
deemed them for annihilation.
It seems like otherness, different cultural, religious customs provide basis for the majority to
hate certain groups of people and hold them
responsible for various social problems.
Huntington (1996) considers opposition
induced by incompatible values of different cultures and civilizations fundamental not only in
the relation of minority-majority but, according
to him, this will also determine the future fate of
humanity. According to Huntington (1996), the
future of humanity will be defined by tribal existence organized around instincts and local values.
In the war of civilization and barbarism the major
civilizations of the world will fail wither together
or one by one, and will carry along our civilization values. We have to hope for Huntington
(1996) will be proved wrong, and we also have to
act to prove him wrong.
Efforts to form nation-states in Europe were
palpable from the 1800s. This ambition, however,
was the source of conflicts in areas where the
population was rather mixed. Different ethnic
groups in the new state received different rights:
generally, the majority grabbed power and
formed a legal system beneficial for them forcing
minorities into handicap.
5 Structure and Operation of the Global Society (Anthroposphere)
Different experts give different explanation to
the unprecedented violence in the twentieth century. World War II, for example, is explained with
economic crisis and the occurrence of fascism.
Germany, however, was already over the crisis
when invaded Poland. In general, it can be stated
that economic problems result in war more rarely
than other reasons.
According to Ferguson (2006), there were
three fundamental causes of the extremely violent war in the twentieth century, World War II.
1. Ethnic conflicts gained new momentum
because the advanced assimilation process
was interrupted. Revival of conflicts was
encouraged by theories of hereditary racial
differences. Hermann Göring called World
War II the “great racial war”.
2. Instable economic situation as the second reason of war meant the degree and frequency of
changes in the economic growth, prices, interest rates and employment and associated
social tension. Not poor economic performance was to be blamed necessarily, even so,
in the case of Germany the economy was
growing.
3. Collapse of multinational European empires
that had dominant roles at the turn of the
twentieth century (declining empires: Turkish,
Russian) while new empires (Soviet, Japanese,
German) were emerging.
Ferguson (2006) also analyses in detail the
fate of the minorities of the states and the socalled new racial issue, that is otherwise a nonsense in biological terms which was declared by
Ferguson as well. It is acknowledged though that
racism became the decisive ideology in Germany
at that time. Ferguson (2006) considers all the
more important the increase of violence against
minorities and certain social groups within states.
Stalin, for example, applied force against national
minorities and the “internal enemy” of socialism.
Nazis turned against Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals with the known brutality.
Ethnic groups are units of people formed historically who are aware of their affinity as a folk
and express this using an ethnic name, they speak
a common language and certain rituals and customs bind them. Ethnic groups being in minority
may expose themselves to danger if they refuse
assimilation. Events in the history could increase
the opposition of minorities to the majority.
Tension may rise among ethnic groups if one of
them becomes more successful than the rest in a
growing market period due to its network of confidence, and thus antipathy of other ethnic groups
is obtained (e.g. Armenians in the Turkish Empire,
Jews in Central and Eastern Europe). It was also
proved that economic dominance gives no protection for the given ethnic group against genocide.
In this respect, political representation, i.e. power
is crucial, as those in power can deprive an ethnic
group from its rights, property and even life.
Persecution of minorities may have other reasons as well: Roma people belonged and still
belong to the poorest in most countries, yet Nazis
deemed them for annihilation.
It seems like otherness, different cultural, religious customs provide basis for the majority to
hate certain groups of people and hold them
responsible for various social problems.
Huntington (1996) considers opposition
induced by incompatible values of different cultures and civilizations fundamental not only in
the relation of minority-majority but, according
to him, this will also determine the future fate of
humanity. According to Huntington (1996), the
future of humanity will be defined by tribal existence organized around instincts and local values.
In the war of civilization and barbarism the major
civilizations of the world will fail wither together
or one by one, and will carry along our civilization values. We have to hope for Huntington
(1996) will be proved wrong, and we also have to
act to prove him wrong.
Efforts to form nation-states in Europe were
palpable from the 1800s. This ambition, however,
was the source of conflicts in areas where the
population was rather mixed. Different ethnic
groups in the new state received different rights:
generally, the majority grabbed power and
formed a legal system beneficial for them forcing
minorities into handicap.
5 Structure and Operation of the Global Society (Anthroposphere)