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Introduction
The dictatorial leadership of Saddam Hussein inspired the U.S. to wage war against Iraq. The U.S. wanted to restore peace to the citizens of Iraq who had been oppressed for a long period of time. The functionalist theory employs a qualitative approach of analysis in explaining and differentiating between justified and non justified warfare. The theory gives a critical view and analysis of the manner in which war can be justified or the way in which war can deny people their human rights and privileges. Through the analysis of the functionalist theory, the paper addresses the significance of the war, conflict perspective of the war and the fact that the war had both positive and negative benefits. Thesis statement
Does warfare lead to any benefits? The need to establish a positive impact of war has always faced many challenges. Experts believe that potential benefits of the Iraq war relates to establishment of a democratic political regime and enhancement of the wellbeing of citizens of Iraq.
The war in Iraq was beneficial to the society
The functionalist theory reveals that the war in Iraq was important as it ensured that necessary action was effected so as to enhance peace, law and order. According to the theory, combat and other calamities that take place across the globe have a unique purpose. As evidenced by the manner in which communism spread in the twentieth century and the core principles of the functionalist theory, it is evident that differences in ideologies result into conflicts and war.
Iraq fought against Iran for a very long time. The United States of America intervened in Iraq with a view of ensuring that peace, unity, greater level of sobriety and harmony existed in the Middle East region. Based on both the positive and the negative social effects and functions of war, it can be argued that the war played a significant role in shaping the manner in which peace is sought. In most instances, war that is enhanced by behavioral societal subsystems easily fails the same subsystems. The war in Iraq contributed to the commission of war crimes by the soldiers who were supposed to help in the restoration of peace. The rationale, cause and reasons for war have always brought challenges in form of differences in opinion among the various stakeholders, politicians and professionals. Issues that relate to societal norms, government ideologies, economics and political interests remain important to the ever increasing levels of insecurity across the globe. The war in Iraq was equally caused by economic and political interests as well as socio-cultural differences between the United States of America and Iraq. The war was beneficial as it helped the Iraq society to address its social ills.
Significance of the war
According to the different perspectives on conflict, war can either be considered to “be good or bad” depending on the manner in which it is undertaken. The subject of war is vital for the society as it ensures that an amicable solution is arrived at in enhancing peace and harmony. The topic on the war in Iraq also gives people an in-depth understanding of all the possible causes of war and the manner in which warfare can be avoided in future. As a result, such information can offer a better opportunity for interested persons to exercise peace and unity and to constantly work towards avoiding illegal and selfish means of interaction.
According to the functionalist theory, the war in Iraq offers various ways of understanding the manner in which interstate conflicts can either be avoided or resolved. As evident in the American ideals, leaders are often influenced and their decisions aligned to the societal norms and development strategies that exist in their particular nations or states. While organized violence has the danger of leading to human suffering and unwarranted atrocities, the functionalist theory points out that the military goes to war in situations considered to be ideal to protect the national heritage and safeguarding of the interests of the majority of their citizens. It can therefore be concluded that the Iraq war was brought about by political and economic interests.
Conflict perspective
The conflict perspective indicates that the war in Iraq brought about many economic and financial challenges in the society. Rather than enhance peace and order, the war in Iraq led to a lot of destruction of infrastructure, suffering and degradation of family values. According to the criteria for the justification of the Iraq war, the United States of America not only had the right to go to war but also still ensured that the conduct of its military was appropriate and that innocent lives were safeguarded. It failed in doing this. In fact, the Iraq war initiated by the United States of America was not economically and politically justifiable. Besides leading to economic instability in Iraq, a lot of money, human and financial resources were wasted. The money could have otherwise been spent on improving healthcare and advancing the country’s educational sector. The U.S had a just reason of restoring peace in the U.S. The injustice that was suffered by the citizens of Iraq was comparatively insignificant compared to the ultimate benefits of the war. The U.S had a competitive military force, right intentions and the probability of winning the war was high.
The nine year period of war appeared to have been a struggle for oil fields, political supremacy and the desire by the U.S to control the use of scarce resources in the Middle East. The war led to a lot of credibility issues against the U.S government as it destabilized the Iraq government and still did not improve Iran’s political and economic wellbeing. The conflict perspective reveals that war causes permanent emotional and physical effects on people. The Iraq war has led to depopulation of the civilians, destruction of transport and communication infrastructure, deaths and psychological aftereffects on the survivors of the Iraq war.
Symbolic interaction perspective
The symbolic interaction perspective reveals that the topic on the war in Iraq has both positive and negative effects on the society. As already discussed above, both constructive and destructive effects of the war could be discussed based on the cause, effects, purpose and aftermath of the war. The war gives an insight into the best war practices and the manner in which best warfare strategies can help to quickly restore trust in the legal and political system. Well structured war can at times help in restoring peace and tranquility in the society. It fosters national unity by destabilizing organized crime forces that could result to national conflict.
Conclusion Destruction of the infrastructure in Iraq, massive deaths, serious violation of the United Nations security standards and the emergence of deadly weapons of mass destruction are some of the causes and effects of the Iraq war. The effects of the war were negative for Iraq and the U.S.A. Based on the symbolic interaction perspective, it can be concluded that while the Iraq war caused many deaths and human atrocities, its long-term positive cause and effect on peace, order and unity in the unity should be appreciated. To the non-westernized societies, recovery from war is often not a discrete, emotional or psychological process but it rather demands proper planning, effective allocation of resources and enhancement of reliable peacemaking efforts.
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