Reasons for Tensions Tensions & Conflict:

Territory & Resources Sometimes territories have ge0-strategic importance (access to water, important trade routes) or natural resources (to feed population or for economic gain)

Territory & Resources...Examples Suez Canal Crisis 1956 (Egypt vs Israel) France and Canada

Issues of Identity Societies are not homogeneous. Populations are composed of different cultures and sometimes this results in ethnic, religious, or linguistic tensions.

Issues of Identity...Examples Rwanda Genocide (1994)

Desire for Political Autonomy Self-Determination: principle that all people have the right to rule themselves and make decisions that concern them. Sometimes colonized people or minorities demand greater political power because their views are not represented by their government. Some wish to create their own state either democratically or by force.

Desire for Political Autonomy...Examples Basque People of Spain and France

Desire for Political Autonomy...Examples Europe post-WWI: Self-Determination

Ideological Conflicts Beyond ethnic or religious differences, ideological tensions occur when people disagree on the type of government or economic system to be implemented Ex: USSR and USA during the Cold War

Exercising Rights & Freedoms When a state abuses certain rights of their citizens, tensions can arise. Some Principle Human Rights: The right to life, liberty, and security Freedom of thought, expression, religion, and association Equality before the law The right to paid work and social security The right to education The right to privacy

Exercising Rights & Freedoms...Examples Political Freedoms in the Soviet Union were limited as no one could speak against the communist party, religious beliefs and literary expression were also monitored Secret Police enforced the laws