Causes, Consequences, Alternative Political Scenario and Policy Prescriptions of Syrian Civil War - Essay Example

Globalisation & International Markets Assessment Table of Contents Introduction 3 Discussion 4 The facts and causes of unrest in Syrian economy 4 Consequences of the Syrian civil war 5 Analysis 6 Alternative potential scenario 6 Findings 7 Policy prescriptions 7 Conclusion 8 References 10 Introduction The political scenario of Syria was not in a standardized condition. A chaotic situation is prevailing in the nation as the rebel group desired to overthrow the existing president, named Bashar-al-asshad. However, such an armed conflict took the shape of a civil war, which is recognised by the name of Syria Uprising or Syria unrest. It started in the year 2011 in the month of March, among the rebel group and the ruling party of the nation of Syria. In this violence, the lives of numerous citizens were lost and it also violated several human rights. Due to which, the economic condition of the nation of Syria also became extremely unstable that enhanced the prices of the products as well as unemployment. Moreover, due to such unstable political situation, numerous citizens were shot to death, numerous imprisoned and a huge percentage of citizens migrated to other countries in order to save their lives and families. However, in order to save the imprisoned families and civilians of Syria, the Columbia came into limelight and tried to help the citizens by presenting its military forces (Starr, 2012, pp. 276-289). However, in-spite of military involvement, the nation of Columbia also had to face, tremendous violence that smashed the political situation of that country as well (Grant, 2005, pp. 332-343). This research paper entirely deals with the causes, consequences, alternative political scenario and policy prescriptions of the renowned global political issue, named Syria unrest or Syrian Civil War. However, in order to address this issue, the paper is divided into five parts, mainly introduction, discussion, analysis, findings and conclusions. Discussion The facts and causes of unrest in Syrian economy Syria is a quite small nation in Middle East that was ruled by Bashar-Al-Assad, since 1971. The party of Ba’ath is a neo Ba’athism government party used to be the most peaceful political party. But unfortunately, the party of Ba’ath soon turned itself into a blood shedding armed party that used to violet the democratic right of freedom of the citizens of Syria. Apart from this, ethnicity, corruption and torture are also considered as some of the prime causes that lead to such a blood shedding violent political issue. The prime aim of the regime of the governing party is to stop the civilians or the citizens to present their demonstrations and strengthen their authority and power over all the parts of the nation. Other than this, as the Ba’ath party also tried make discriminations among the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam. This is because; Alawites belong to Syria that occupies only 12 percent of the total 23 million citizens of Syria whereas on the other hand, Sunni occupies almost 75 percent of the total population of Syria (Schirato & Webb, 2013, pp. 580-590). Due to which, the governing party, Ba’ath tried to discriminate and violet the rights of the Sunni citizens of Syria. However, due to such type of violation and discrimination, the citizens of Sunni felt extremely depressed and sore within the nation of Syria that hindered its political scenario. However, in order to withstand such type of political violations, the Sunni citizens represented revolutions against the governing party of Ba’ath in Syria. Not only had this, in order to reduce the political violations, the president of United States of America, Mr. Barack Obama as well as the prime minister of Turkey also presented their military armed forces against the Syrian governing forces. However, in-spite of US military support, the rebellion forces maintained their violent attracts and killed almost 60, 000 citizens by 2012. Due to which, the citizens of the nation of Syria tried to out-throw the governing party of Ba’ath entirely. However, finally the citizens of Syria became successful in throwing the governing party of Ba’ath from the nation in order to maintain peace and stability. In addition, the nation of Syria also attained improvement in GDP, employment and rate of poverty. Thus, due to reduction in the level of the poverty and unemployment, the reputation and image of the nation of Syria improved in the entire globe (Hill, 2010, pp. 356-367). Consequences of the Syrian civil war The Syrian Civil War offered wide range of consequences over its economy. It not only killed a huge range of citizens but also affected the gross domestic product of the country. In the year 2010, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the nation of Syria was 81.7 percent but due to political war, it declined by 18.8 percent in the year 2012. Apart from this, due to Syrian Civil War, the rate of unemployment also increased by 24.3 percent that lowered the living standard and life style of the citizens to a significant extent (The national. 2014). In addition to this, due to Syrian civil war, numerous citizens were terminated from their job posts that increased the level of poverty and redundancy within the nation of Syria. Other than this, due to Syrian Civil War, the tourism department was affected significantly which incurred a loss of 175 billion Syrian pounds. As a result of loss of tourism department revenues, a huge loss in GDP also took place. In addition to tourism, trade, transportation and manufacturing also presented a total loss 53 percent in the GDP of Syria. Due to which, the image and reputation of the nation of Syria declined to a considerable extent among many other neighbouring countries that hindered its trade dealings (Meyer, 2004, pp. 256-279). Thus, it might be clearly stated that due to the Syrian political un-stability, the public investment of Syria declined from 8.8 percent of GDP in 2010 to 3.5 percent of GDP in 2012. Due to which, the government budget deficit increased from 3.8 percent in 2010 to 10.1 percent in 2012. In-spite of all these causes, due to political unrest numerous organizations transferred their production plants to Turkey or Egypt in order to maintain their functioning in an effective way. By doing so, the organizations tried to retain their position and brand image in the markets in long run. As a result, loss in industrial operations also affected the GDP of the nation of Syria thereby reducing its employment rate. Thus, these are the prime causes for which, the reputation of the nation of Syria decreased to a considerable limit from 2010 to 2012. Hence, the Syrian Civil War entirely smashed the economic scenario of the nation that hindered its fame among others (Commins & Lesch, 2013, pp. 256-267). Therefore, in order to mitigate such type of political un-stability, varied types of meetings need to be organised with the other political party members (Morgan, 2009, pp. 96-113) Analysis Alternative potential scenario After analysing all the above mentioned points, it might be clearly depicted that enhancement of the rate of unemployment within the nation of Syria arose mainly due to Syrian Civil War. Due to improvement of the rate of unemployment, the per capita income also reduced that declined the living standards of the citizens. Other than this, due to political unrest, the import and export operations of the country also reduced that hindered the growth of the nation in the entire globe (Scholte, 2010, pp. 546-556). Moreover, due to civil war, the rate of poverty also increased that reduced the life style of the citizens. However, such an economic un-stability may not take place, if the governing party of Ba’ath had not created a discriminated situation among Sunni and Shia segments of Islam. Then the consequences of such a civilian political war may not have aroused such as loss of GDP to 18.8 percent in the year 2012 (Al-monitor. 2013). In addition, if the armed rebels had not killed numerous citizens, then the economic situation of the nation had not declined, i.e. de-growth of tourism department by 175 billion Syrian pounds. However due to de-growth in tourism department the rate of unemployment in these segments increased that improved that rate of poverty and deaths (Geiersbach, 2010). Furthermore, due to Syrian Civil War, the rate of demand of manufacturing products decreased that also offered significant impact over the GDP rate of the nation of Syria. However, the economic situation of the nation of Syria might be entirely different, if the Syrian Civilian war had not aroused (BBC News, 2014). Therefore, it might be clearly stated that the rate of immigration or loss of GDP took place mainly due to Syrian Civil war of 2011. However, if the political stability of the nation remained in a standstill condition, then such an economic de-growth might not be aroused (Robins, 2010, pp. 125-191). Findings Policy prescriptions In order to maintain political stability, the citizens of Syria might try to organise a meetings stating the different problems with the other party members. So that, they might communicate these problems in front of the governing party and try to reduce the political unrest. Moreover, due to the organization of such type of political meetings, the Ba’ath party may not have performed such types of violent activities with the citizens of Syria. However, if such a political unrest has not occurred then, the gross domestic growth rate of the nation of Syria had not beard a huge loss (Deutsche Welle, 2014). In addition, the tourism department of Syria may not have experienced a significant de-growth affecting the entire national GDP of the nation of Syria (Ritzer, 2012, pp. 445-456). Furthermore, by rejecting the actions and policies of the governing party, a new party might appear that may work for the benefit of the citizens. For example: it might help in improvement of the manufacture and industries of the nation of Syria that may enhance its GDP rate to a significant extent as compared to many other neighbouring countries (Collier & Sambanis, 2005, pp. 245-256). Only then, the rate of unemployment might get reduced thereby declining the rate of poverty and redundancies as well (Ajami, 2012, pp. 223-234). In addition, due to the rise of any other political party within the nation of Syria, the growth rate of tourism department might get increased that may prove effective for the improvement of the national prospects and image. Along with this, introduction of varied types of new industries within the nation might offer significant improvement in its employment rate. As a result of which, the rate of loss in GDP might get enhanced to a significant extent just as other nations (Grant, 2005, pp. 123-134). Therefore, due to improvement in the GDP and employment rate, the reputation of the nation might get enhanced, thereby amplifying the opportunities for numerous reputed international concerns to penetrate the market (ABC news, 2013). By doing so, the rate of industrial situation might get enhanced thereby declining the rate of poverty to a significant extent. However, due to decline in the rate of poverty, the living standard and life style of the citizens might also get amplified. This might improve the economic scenario of the nation to a considerable extent as compared to many other neighbouring nations (The national, 2014). Hence, if the above mentioned policies might be implemented, then the political situation of the nation of Syria might get improved in the entire globe thereby enhancing its growth and opportunities. Conclusion Conclusively, it might be stated that Syrian Civil war totally smashed the economic situation of the nation. It not only, reduced the growth and attractiveness of the tourism department but also increased the rate of gross domestic product. Moreover, political war also increased the rate of unemployment that hampered the living standard and style of the citizens. However due to decline in the per capita rate of the citizens, the rate of poverty increased. In addition, in order to save their lives from cruel biting, numerous citizens immigrated to different countries such as Turkey and Egypt. Due to which, they had to face the trouble of unemployment that hindered their lives. Thus, in order to improve the economic scenario of the nation of Syria, the citizens might try to elect a new party or organise meetings with the members of other parties. Only then, the rate of poverty and unemployment might be enhanced to a significant extent thereby amplifying its rate of GDP as compared to many other nations. Moreover, the industrial and manufacturing scenario of the nation of Syria might also get enhanced that may improve its condition and reputation in the entire globe. Hence, to improve the political condition, the above mentioned points need to be implemented within the country of Syria. References ABC news, 2013. Syrian Conflicts. [Online] Available at: http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/world/syrian-civil-war.htm [Accessed on 30th April, 2014]. Ajami, F. 2012. The Syrian Rebellion. New York: Springer. Al-monitor, 2013. Economic Impact due to Syrian Crisis. [Online] Available at: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/business/2013/02/economic-impact-syrian-crisis.html# [Accessed on 30th April, 2014]. BBC News, 2014. Syrian Conflicts. [Online] Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-17258397 [Accessed on 30th April, 2014]. Collier, P. & Sambanis, N. 2005. Understanding civil war: Europe, central Aisa and other regions. New York: Springer. Commins, D. & Lesch, D, W. 2013. Historical Dictionary of Syria. London: Sage. Deutsche Welle, 2014. Civil war shatters Syrian economy. [Online] Available at: http://www.dw.de/civil-war-shatters-syrian-economy/a-17196882 [Accessed on 30th April, 2014]. Geiersbach, N. 2010. The Impact Of International Business On The Global Economy. [Online] Available at: http://www.saycocorporativo.com/saycoUK/BIJ/journal/Vol3No2/Article_8.pdf [Accessed on 30th April, 2014]. Grant, R, M. 2005. Contemporary Strategy Analysis. London: Sage. Hill, C. 2010. International Business Mc Graw Hill 8th International Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Meyer, K.E. 2004. Perspectives on multinational enterprises in emerging economies. Journal of International Business Studies, Vol. 35(4), pp. 259-276. Morgan, G. 2009. ‘Globalization’, in Hancock P and Spicer A (eds) Understanding Corporate Life. London: Sage pp.96-113. Ritzer, G. 2011. Globalization: The Essentials. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Ritzer, G. 2012. The Globalization of Nothing. London: Sage. Robins, K. 2010. ‘Encountering Globalization’ in Held, D. and McGrew, A (eds) The global transformations reader. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 195- 201. Schirato, T. & Webb, J. 2010. Understanding Globalization. London: Sage Schirato, T. & Webb, J. 2013. Understanding Globalization. London: Sage Scholte, J. A. 2010. Globalization a Critical Introduction. Basingstoke: MacMillan Press Ltd. Starr, S. 2012. Revolt in Syria: eye witness to the uprising. London: Sage. The national. 2014. Middle East tensions fuelling its growth in defence industry. [Online] Available at: http://www.thenational.ae/world/syria-unrest [Accessed on 30th April, 2014]. Read More