Political Economy And the Coming Anarchy - Assignment Example

Summary of the Authors Thesis and Main Arguments: In this article, the author argues that the depletion of resources such as water, the immigration of youths from villages, and an increase in the number of shanty towns within the developing countries of the world would increase sectarian and ethnic tensions. Kaplan further denotes that this would in turn create a condition necessary for a breakdown in the domestic political environment, and the transformation of war to a variety of irregular forms. On this note, Kaplan argues that this situation is not different from terrorism. Furthermore, the article gives a prediction on the security problems that will become an issue during the 21st century1. Kaplan identifies environmental problems such as pollution, and global warming, as well as the erosion of national borders of various states, as the major security issues that states in the 21st century will have to face. This article also talks about political instability that is brought forth because of poor governance. He identifies countries such as Sierra Leone, which experiences civil war because of poverty, and poor governance. Furthermore, Kaplan effectively talks about the problems of insecurity in West Africa, and the causes of this insecurity2. He identifies poverty as the main cause of insecurity in Western Africa. Kaplan also talks about Turkey, and predicts a rise of an Islamic state in Turkey, and other places of the world. In this paper, Kaplan is a critique of the Islamic religion, denoting that it is associated with poor people, who are badly urbanized, and they are willing to use violence as a means of achieving their objectives. Furthermore, Kaplan talks about racial division in United States, and wrongfully gave a prediction that it would escalate during the 21st century3. Persuasion of the Theorist: This paper is very persuasive in nature, and this is because he uses real life examples to bring out the various points that he wishes to communicate. For example, when he begins talking about the problems of West Africa, he uses a case study example of Sierra Leone, and what is happening in the country regarding political instability and governance. In explaining the problems of Sierra Leone, Kaplan manages to give the views of a Sierra Leone minister, and to identify some of the rebel leaders who were causing havoc in Sierra Leone4. For instance, he identifies Captain Valentine Strasser as one of the leading rebel leader, and he was able to usurp power. The use of examples is always effective in persuading a reader, and this is because the reader will manage to understand and believe the information passed. Use of examples is an easy way of passing information or message concerning a situation. Kaplan also uses dialogue to explain his points, and this is the dialogue that he has between the minister and himself5. Kaplan gets first hand information from an African leader who is aware of the problems facing the continent. People are likely to believe an individual who has experienced the problem, as opposed to an individual who does not have any experience to the problem. Readers will most likely believe the information that emanates from the minister, and this is because the information is real, and without bias. Interviews are very important methods of data collection, and on most occasions they are reliable, since the information provided emanates from a professional or a person who experienced the problem under consideration. Furthermore, while giving out his explanations on the problems of West Africa, and other regions of the world, Kaplan manages to deeply describe the problem and its effects. For instance, he manages to describe how the conflict in Sierra Leone managed to internally displace over 400,000 citizens of Sierra Leone, and also an external displacement of over one million people to different countries6. He identifies these countries by name, and gives out the figures of Sierra Leonean refugees they took. Based on this style of writing, this article is very persuasive. Threats, Challenges, and opportunities: In his description of threats, Kaplan manages to identify the erosion of the borders of countries, as well as environmental issues as the major threats that faces the international community in the 21st century. When talking about the environment, Kaplan denotes that the diminishing natural resources will greatly affect the security of the international system, and this is because people and nations will start fighting over the scarce natural resources. Examples include, the ever growing population, deforestation, soil erosion, air pollution, spread of diseases, as well as water depletion are challenges that will exist in the 21st century, and which have the capability of inciting group conflict. On the other hand, erosion of national borders will also be a great threat to security, and this is because it would lead to an influx of criminals and extremist groups within a particular country. The rise of radical Islamic groups, particularly in Asia is another threat described. For instance, Kaplan correctly predicted the rise of an Islamic political state in Turkey, and other nations of the world7. Islam is a threat to the security of the nation, because of the radicalized groups that emanate from this religion. On this basis, the challenge that government over the world would face is on how to develop a policy that would protect their natural resources, as well as their borders from infiltration by criminal organizations. However, there are a variety of opportunities that third world countries, as well as western countries face. One such opportunity is the rise of information technology, which can help in the free flow transmission of information. Furthermore, opportunities of economic as well as political stability arise, in case dictatorial regimes are able to enact institutions that would promote good and better governance. Analysis of Future Operational Environment: This article is an important piece that can guide the future operational environment of the US military policy. For instance, this article identifies the various threats that would face the 21st century states. One such threat is the issue of porous borders. This is a reality, and porous borders have been seen all over the world. For example, in East Africa, the Kenyan Somali border is porous, and it usually facilitates the entry of terrorists within the country. These people in turn will target US interests and that of their allies8. Porous borders are also seen in Asia, America, especially the Mexican-American border, which is notorious for drug trafficking, etc. Furthermore, there is an aspect of environmental degradation, and depletion. Resources such as oil, minerals are increasing being scarce, and conflicts usually emanates from their use. Countries such as Southern Sudan and Nigeria are experiencing civil strife because of oil. Based on these factors, it is therefore necessary for the United States to deploy its forces in areas where it has interests such as the Kenyan-Somalia border, and in Nigeria for purposes of securing those areas. For instance, in securing the Kenyan-Somalia border, the US will manage to protect its interests, and on the other hand, when securing Nigerian oil resources, the US will manage to secure a major source of its energy. On this basis, the US forces should be deployed to secure vulnerable borders, which if breached are a threat to its security, as well as to secure resources that are essential for its economic growth9. Furthermore, the type of enemy that United States is likely to face, is a radicalized Islamic faithful. This is a person who strongly believes that the best way to articulate their interest is through violence and terrorism. This is mainly because of the US support to Israel, which makes it an enemy to Islamic radical groups. However, there are a variety of issues that might limit effective military operations against these enemies of the US. For example, radicalized Islamic groups normally use terror as a means of articulating their demands. Terrorism is an example of unconventional warfare, and it is always a difficult war to fight. This is because it is difficult to know who a terrorist is, and who is not. On this basis, there is a need of the US to collaborate with various countries of the world, in order to fight this terrorism. However, some countries might be unwilling to cooperate, limiting the ability of the US to collect intelligence, and fight this war. On this basis, suspicions on the intentions of the US is one of the major factors responsible creating the complexity of these military operations. Bibliography: Besteman, Catherine. "Political Economy And Robert Kaplan In Africa: A Comment On "The Coming Anarchy"." PoLAR: Political html_ent glyph="@amp;" ascii=""/ Legal Anthropology Review 23, no. 1 (2000): 25-32. Kaplan, Robert D.. The coming anarchy: how scarcity, crime, overpopulation, tribalism, and disease are rapidly destroying the social fabric of our planet. Boston, Mass.: Atlantic Monthly, 1994. Williams, Paul D. D.. Security Studies an Introduction.. 2nd ed. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2012. Read More