In the 21st century, despite all the achievements of civilization, clashes persist for several interconnected reasons.

Enduring Fault Lines: The Persistence of Conflict in the 21st Century

In the 21st century, despite all the achievements of civilization, clashes persist for several interconnected reasons. First, historically deep-rooted socio-economic inequality continues to create fertile ground for tension. Even within the framework of a well-established system of liberal democracy and capitalism, the imbalance in resource distribution remains a source of fierce conflicts and struggles for justice. Furthermore, the shift from past ideological confrontations to new forms of discord underscores the inevitability of change. Although the Cold War is behind us, modern society faces challenges where new, equally dangerous differences come to the forefront—capable of escalating into violent clashes. Finally, profound cultural and ethnic traditions, which can sometimes intensify to the extreme, continue to contribute to conflict situations as ancient divisions resurface.

Thus, the combination of historical, economic, and cultural contradictions remains relevant today, reminding us that the pursuit of justice, unity, and social equilibrium demands constant efforts to overcome conflicts through force.

Why, despite the achievements of civilization, do many conflicts in the 21st century continue to be resolved by physical force?

The answer can be framed by highlighting several interconnected factors that lead to the continued use of physical force in resolving conflicts in the 21st century, regardless of civilization’s progress. Firstly, the historically deep-seated socio-economic inequality remains one of the fundamental sources of conflict. As noted in one source, "Socio-economic inequality, which has existed for ages, reached a particular intensity in the 19th century..." This indicates that even under liberal democracy and capitalism—when the economic system is capable of self-regulation—inequality remains a factor that fuels tension among various layers of society (source: link txt).

Secondly, the transition from the ideological contradictions of the past to new forms of dissent also plays a role. One source emphasizes: "It is perfectly clear that by the end of the 20th century humanity had overcome ideological confrontation. But... in the 21st century, we may face new conflicts and new contradictions—not any less terrible, not any less dangerous..." This points to the fact that despite the end of the Cold War and ideological battles, new challenges and contradictions inevitably lead to conflicts (source: link txt).

Furthermore, the influence of deep cultural and ethnic currents persists, periodically flaring up and evolving into conflict situations. One text provides examples where "more and more often they turn to the old slogan ‘God and the Fueros’..." which suggests the presence of ethnic and cultural contradictions that can escalate to the point of resorting to physical force (source: link txt).

Thus, despite the achievements of civilization, a combination of historical, socio-economic, and ethnic contradictions remains, which—combined with unjustified expectations for the future and the quest for unity—leads many conflicts to continue being resolved through physical force.

Supporting citation(s):
"Socio-economic inequality, which has existed for ages, reached a particular acuteness in the 19th century, especially as the needs of the awakening masses increased and they felt a desire to partake in the benefits of civilization and freedom. However, liberal democracy and its economic projection—capitalism, while promoting progress, simultaneously created conditions under which new obstacles began to emerge on the path to the 'progress of freedom'..." (source: link txt)

"It is perfectly clear that by the end of the 20th century, humanity had overcome ideological confrontation. But perhaps it would be too sentimental and unrealistic to view the coming 21st century as a 'new sky' and a 'new earth'. It is perfectly clear that in the 21st century, we may face new conflicts and new contradictions—not any less terrifying, not any less dangerous than the conflicts of the past century..." (source: link txt)

"In the milieu of those around him, they increasingly resort to the old slogan ‘God and the Fueros’, a false cover that was long masked by 'God, Fatherland, and King'... part of this process also includes the ancient struggle between peoples—a source of civilization." (source: link txt)