Question

a major source of conflict and war at present is the frequent mismatch between perceived __________ and actual state borders.

Answer 1

The frequent mismatch between perceived state borders and actual state borders is a major source of conflict and war at present.

Step-by-step explanation:

The frequent mismatch between perceived state borders and actual state borders is a major source of conflict and war at present. This is due to varying conceptions of security threats among different countries, which complicate the creation of unified policy priorities and responses. Modern-day conflicts are often driven by the desire to gain or protect power and wealth. Examples include political differences over budget issues that led to the recent shutdown of the federal government in the United States, and rivalries between countries for land and resources.

Answer 2

A major current source of conflict is the mismatch between perceived national identities and actual state borders, often stemming from colonial-era boundary decisions that ignored regional identities. These conflicts continue due to desires to protect power and wealth, and they can lead to regional instability, economic conflict, and proxy wars.

Step-by-step explanation:

A major source of conflict and war at present is the frequent mismatch between perceived national identities and actual state borders. Over the course of history, borders have shifted considerably, yet the fundamental causes of conflict among nations have remained essentially the same. These disagreements arise from the desire to gain or protect power and wealth, in forms such as land, resources, liberty, and autonomy. Within countries, internal groups struggle to achieve their preferred outcomes, while internationally, nations may come into conflict over national interests and territorial claims.

These conflicts can be exacerbated by historical circumstances, such as the arbitrary state boundary lines created by colonial powers, which often disregarded the traditional geographic locations and historical identities of the people living within these regions. The placement of these borders, designed for the economic benefit of the colonial powers, remains a source of regional instability in many parts of the world, including in countries like Iraq, Sudan, and Nigeria.

Modern-day conflicts may also involve economic conflict, military tensions, and can even escalate to proxy wars, where larger powers support and fund smaller parties in a conflict to protect their own vested interests.