CSS 2021 Solved Essays | Inter-Cultural Communication is Panacea to Avoid 3rd World War
Sidra Nawaz, a Sir Syed Kazim Ali student, has attempted the CSS Special 2021 essay “Inter-Cultural Communication is Panacea to Avoid 3rd World War” on the given pattern, which Sir Syed Kazim Ali teaches his students. Sir Syed Kazim Ali has been Pakistan’s top English writing and CSS, PMS essay and precis coach with the highest success rate of his students. The essay is uploaded to help other competitive aspirants learn and practice essay writing techniques and patterns to qualify for the essay paper.
1- Introduction
In the post-Cold War era, where political polarization among states and the debate between bipolarity and multipolarity are the dominating factors of international conflicts, intercultural communication can cultivate peace and harmony among nations, transform the world into a global village, and address the socio-political and economic challenges that are collectively perceived as the rising threat of a third world war by defying cultural disparities, promoting shared values, and fostering tolerance and unity.
2- What is Intercultural communication?
- ✓A process that enables people from diverse backgrounds to interconnect with each other.
- ✓It fosters an environment of collaboration that defies cultural divides and promotes inclusivity and tolerance at individual, societal and state levels.
3- How is cultural disharmony a breeding ground for global conflicts?
- ✓Cultural conflicts evolve into military invasions; the dominant culture pursues hegemony
- ✓Shadow of ideological discord in both world wars
- ✓Regional disputes turn into global conflicts
4- The current world order and the threat of WWIII
- ✓Dynamic shifts in the global politics post-cold war
- ✓World order transitioning to multipolarity, highlighting cultural fault lines
- ✓ A wave of nationalism is arising once more, intensifying the North-South rivalries
5- How can Intercultural communication contribute to avoiding the Third World War?
- ✓Intercultural communication as a diplomatic tool to foster peace and stability
- ✓International cooperation via non-state actors like the UN builds trust while reducing misconceptions
- ✓Intercultural communication provides a platform for table talk and negotiations
- ✓Understanding the target market culture promotes international trade that avoids cross border conflicts
- ✓People develop closeness with familiar cultures that contributes to a sense of brotherhood
- ✓Intercultural dialogue develops a sense of empathy and dissipates hatred and violence
- ✓Accustoming cultures via tourism: a strategy to avoid conflicts
- ✓International media: a tool to deter global conflicts by highlighting the issues in a timely manner
- ✓Immigrants accustomed to other cultures coerce political pressure for peace talks
- ✓Cultural inclusivity in MNCs manifest a diverse workforce with a shared vision (analogy)
6- What are the limitations to enhance intercultural communication?
- ✓Sensitive matter: people get touchy about their beliefs and traditions
- ✓Ethnocentrism and a superiority complex makes it challenging to educate people about other cultures
- ✓Cultural perceptions and stereotypes intensify polarization and extremism
7- Strategies to promote inter cultural communication to ensure a peaceful world
- ✓Cultural diplomacy creates opportunities for deeper understanding and connection.
- ✓Development of cultural competence among individuals
- ✓Use of technology and Internet to promote intercultural communication
- ✓Constructive role of media in bridging cultural divides
8- Conclusion
The second decade of the millennium has witnessed a startling shift in the global order where emerging forces of identity and culture influence power dynamics in international relations. Consequently, the world has adopted a multi-polar character while the rising tide of socio-political and economic conflicts has accelerated the doomsday clock. Thus, there is a dire need for modern nation-states to cooperate like never before to avoid the risk of catastrophe. As pointed out by Elon Musk, the billionaire technology leader, “World War III is a civilizational risk from which we may not recover, so we need to prioritize avoiding it.” Despite the challenging situation, the hope for peace still exists; however, it is conditional on achieving intercultural communication, a process that enables people from diverse backgrounds to interconnect and understand each other compassionately. This exchange of perceptions fosters an environment of collaboration that defies cultural disparities and promotes inclusivity and tolerance at individual, societal, and state levels. Furthermore, it cultivates harmony among nations and promotes peaceful coexistence by focusing on shared values and addressing the global challenges collectively perceived as the rising threat of a third world war. Although some elements exist that portray intercultural communication as an arduous task, the notion can be rendered false by taking prudent diplomatic measures and promoting constructive use of technology and media in bridging cultural divides. This essay sheds light on the role of intercultural communication in the context of the emerging world order and elaborates on how it is the panacea to avoid the threat of a new world war.
Intercultural communication is a process that enables people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, races, ethnicities, etc., to interconnect and understand each other in a better sense. In today’s highly globalized world, technology has contracted time-space by enabling international travelling, and the advent of the internet has stimulated many opportunities for people to share their experiences and ideologies. Moreover, media and literature also connect people and enable them to learn about other’s beliefs and values.
Read more here
| 1. | Intercultural communication is a panacea to avoid the 3rd world war by Iqra Ali |
| 2. | Inter Cultural Communication is Panacea to Avoid 3rd World War by Sidra Nawaz |
Annals of history depict that cultural discord is the prime factor that fuels all wars – ranging from the Peloponnesian War to the Cold War – it was a difference of ideology that ultimately evolved into military invasions that spanned the world. For instance, the legendary warrior Alexander the Great promoted Macedonianism, whereas the pitiless dictator Adolf Hitler sponsored Naziism. Similarly, ideological differences were the catalysts of both the world wars. Even in the contemporary era, the dominant culture in the region pursues its territorial hegemony via violence. Subsequently, regional disputes turn into global conflicts, as demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine and the Palestinian-Israel war. The American political scientist Samuel P. Huntington has argued in his main thesis of Clash of Civilizations that “future wars would be fought not between countries, but between cultures.” Hence, it is inferred that cultural disharmony serves as a breeding ground for international disputes.
In the post-Cold War era, the world has undergone dynamic shifts in global politics, transitioning from unipolarity to multipolarity. Moreover, the influence of globalization has turned it into a global village of multicultural people. However, not all ideologies are rendered equal status, and the dominant nations create power imbalances highlighting cultural fault lines. The rising wave of nationalism has intensified the prevailing rivalries between the industrialized Global North and the resources-rich Global South. Furthermore, the formation of strategic alliances like NATO and economic blocks such as BRICS indicate the attempts of the global powers to disperse the accumulation of power and wealth, thus posing a risk of another great war.
In order to dissipate the threat of the third world war, it is imperative to dispel myths and promote peace and harmony. In this regard, diplomacy is the principal institution to ease tensions on an international level by preventing or resolving conflicts prior to their escalation. One such instance occurred in 1994 when the United States and North Korea got on the brink of a nuclear crisis, and former US President Jimmy Carter met with his North Korean counterpart Kim Il Sung to ink the Agreed Framework and quashed the threat of war. It illuminates that negotiation skills and intercultural communication are essential ingredients of thriving diplomacy, as it requires an ideological understanding of other’s perspectives to engage with them and avert the peril of a global conflict.
Similarly, active participation in corporations of non-state actors like the United Nations builds trust and reduces misconceptions about other cultures. It provides a platform for the nations to exchange information, expand the network and de-escalate tensions at the bilateral, regional or international levels. These efforts seek to avert global conflicts by projecting a soft image of the country and fostering collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. As stated by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, “The UN was created in the belief that dialogue can triumph over discord, diversity is a universal virtue, and the peoples of the world are far more united by their common fate than they are divided by their separate identities.” Active engagement in the UN thereby broadens perspectives, strengthens international bonding for the attainment of the common good, and eliminates the odds of violence.
In the same fashion, intercultural communication enables people to interpret views within a particular cultural context. It fosters an atmosphere of understanding between counterparts of diverse ideologies. As a result, the former rivals may shake hands for mutual gain and peace promotion. For instance, the story of Europe narrates how intercultural communication prevents skirmishes and former war rivals turned friendly neighbours. It illustrates that although states may hold divergent viewpoints at some point in history, handling such a situation by prudent negotiations may lead to peaceful multicultural coexistence within the region.
Likewise, cross-border trade also serves as a tool to deter international conflicts. Successful bilateral business interactions require a thorough cultural understanding of the target market to bolster trade relations. For instance, although most citizens of China, the second-largest economy of the world, are familiar with the Chinese language only, the products are customized according to the demands of its target market and interpreted in foreign languages before exporting to other states by understanding their cultural aspects. As a result, prosperous international trading partnerships are the paramount factor in preserving stable ties with the rest of the world and dissipating the threat of war.
Furthermore, familiarity with other cultures enables people to develop a deeper connection with familiar cultures. The people-to-people bond cultivates a feeling of brotherhood among nations. The airing of Turkish Television series on Pakistani national TV channels has resulted in Pak-Turk solidarity and peaceful coordination between both nations. Similarly, Azerbaijan’s leading television channel is also broadcasting Pakistani drama series to promote cordial ties. This exchange of art unlocks favourable conditions to interact by ignoring cultural disparities and fostering peaceful relations, ultimately diminishing the chances of conflict between nations.
Additionally, intercultural dialogue develops a sense of empathy and dispels violent and hateful sentiments. When a person perceives the message as it was intended to be understood rather than observing it through the prism of his own cultural standards, only then can he be able to steer clear of the possible conflicts that may arise. Such efforts are conducted by higher education institutions in Pakistan to educate students about foreign languages and cultures. Confucius Institute at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, and the Department of China Study Centre in NUST, Islamabad, are the glaring examples in this regard that contribute to the development of multiculturalism and the building of a harmonious world by imparting Chinese teachings. As a result, the understanding of other’s perspectives builds trust and curbs hostile feelings towards other nations.
Moreover, the spread of intercultural communication via tourism holds significant potential for peacemaking. International travellers get acquainted with new people, multiple cultures, and foreign traditions. It not only promotes harmony among individuals but also compels state organizations to maintain cordial relations, hence serving as a tool for track-two diplomacy. The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), a global non-profit organization, considers tourists as “Ambassadors for Peace” and postulates that every traveller carries the essence of diplomacy through peace promotion and conflict resolution. Hence, intercultural communication via global travelling acts as an agent of peace and diminishes the likelihood of a world war.
Following the same pattern, international media also serves as a tool to deter the chances of global conflicts by highlighting the issues in a timely manner. International media broadcasting channels like the BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera have global reach and serve as an agent of agenda-setting. Similarly, the campaigns on social media enable people to voice their concerns and portray an unfiltered image of global events. Television reality shows like Salam Shabab, a program developed with the intent to promote ethnic diversity among Iraqi youth, foster intercultural dialogue and diffuse the probability of international conflict.
Additionally, the immigrants get accustomed to foreign cultures and promote intercultural communication. In case of a conflict between the nations, the diaspora residing overseas coerces political pressure for peace talks and contributes toward the de-escalation of violence. For instance, during the Lebanese Civil War, the Armenian diaspora not only encouraged peacemaking initiatives but also promoted dialogue and cooperation for conflict resolution that significantly altered public opinion and impacted the government’s political behaviour. Thus, the diaspora endorses intercultural communication and propels the host countries for peaceful conflict resolution and, in turn, avoids the chances of war.
The significance of intercultural communication can be underpinned by considering the analogy of Multinational Corporations (MNCs), where a diverse workforce with a shared vision works together to achieve a common goal. They endorse cultural inclusivity and are equally empathetic towards people with multiple origins, which enables their peaceful coexistence. Moreover, the exchange of ideologies creates a better understanding of other’s perspectives that aids in conflict resolution. In the same manner, if the nations promote intercultural communication while keeping the bigger picture in mind, they can also contribute to a safer world where disputes are resolved via negotiations and diplomacy rather than opting for war and violence.
Nevertheless, there exist some factors that limit intercultural communication at the global level. To begin with, it is a sensitive matter; people who hold their cultural ideologies in high regard tend to get touchy when their beliefs and traditions are misinterpreted. For instance, while preparing to host the Summer Olympics, scheduled in mid-2024, France barred its athletes from wearing hijab. Consequently, Moroccans, representing the most significant Muslim group in France, perceive the ban as an attempt to provoke their religious sentiments. Additionally, it has garnered Arab and international criticism because people observe hijab as a cultural entity that identifies them. Thus, intercultural communication is necessary for peace promotion as a cultural misperception or detest towards other’s traditions may result in chaos.
Second, the element of ethnocentrism among some nations makes it challenging to educate them about other cultures. They are unable to let go of their cultural prejudice and are not open to listening to other people’s opinions. One such instance happened during the India vs. Pakistan cricket World Cup match in a Bangalore stadium when a Pakistani cricket fan was stopped from saying Pakistan Zindabad. It was because the match occurred in India, and people who considered themselves superior were unable to tolerate the difference of opinion. Therefore, a healthy exchange of ideologies and tolerance towards other cultures are crucial prerequisites to prevent conflicts on a global scale.
Lastly, cultural misunderstandings impede intercultural communication and exacerbate polarization and extremism. The rise of Islamophobia and stereotyping of Muslims as terrorists led to many violent incidents in the post-9/11 world. Conversely, tolerance and harmony are the epitome of cross-cultural connection, which unifies the world and discourages war.
Thus, in order to promote intercultural connection, cultural diplomacy should be encouraged as it creates opportunities for understanding people’s norms and behaviours. International culture exchange programs offer such prospects for students to learn foreign languages, travel abroad and volunteer for international internships. It promotes peace talks and, hence, prevents the nations from engaging in hostilities.
Additionally, individuals should also seek to develop cultural competence by interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. It is a lifelong process, and a person may advance by indulging in international literature and arts, travelling abroad, attending debates and conferences focusing on cross-cultural talks, etc. Since people are what make a society, each person can contribute according to their own capacity and interest to promote harmony at a universal level.
Moreover, constructive use of technology also encourages people to learn about other civilizations. Internet and social media bring together people from multiple backgrounds and enable them to learn about each other. Nowadays, people can communicate with anybody, anywhere, at any time via instant messaging and real-time video calling. Sharing individual experiences enables a rapid exchange of cultural ideas and traditions that aids in peace promotion. As people understand other traditions, they become tolerant and strive to ensure a heterogeneous coexistence.
Finally, the media should play a responsible role in peacekeeping efforts and international conflict resolution. By capacity enhancement of media houses and training their staff to emphasize pro-peace talks, broadcasting content that encourages cultural harmony, and prohibiting any coverage that inflicts cultural prejudice, the mass media can play a constructive role in preventing the threat of global disputes.
In a nutshell, the modern world has become highly globalized and polarized, and cultural discord is leading to socio-political and economic disparities that collectively pose a substantial risk of the Third World War. However, intercultural communication serves as an antidote to cure the threat of the great global conflict, as it enables societies to bind together by diluting their differences and promotes the peaceful coexistence of people from diverse backgrounds. Multiple terror attacks in the aftermath of 9/11 depict that the cultural divide is taking the shape of extremism and violence. Therefore, it is high time that cross-cultural connection is promoted at individual, national, and international levels to spare humanity from the impending risk of an apocalypse.
CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.
CSS Solved Essays
CSS 2021 Solved Essays
Are you searching for CSS 2021 solved essays by Sir Syed Kazim Ali’s students? Click on any of the topics to start reading the solved essays.
| 1- | “Do not waste water even if you were at a running stream”. |
| 2- | Meaning purposive education. |
| 3- | COVID-19: A wake-up call for Pakistani researchers. |
| 4- | Human inventions move societies backward. |
| 5- | Universal human equality is utopic. |
| 6- | Bureaucracy doldrums. |
| 7- | Gender equality: A popular slogan. |
| 8- | Pros and cons of globalization. |
| 9- | Intercultural communication is a panacea to avoid the 3rd world war. |
| 10- | “I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed”. |
CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Miss Iqra Ali & Dr Nishat Baloch, Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students. General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers
Articles Might Interest You!
The following are some of the most important articles for CSS and PMS aspirants. Click on any to start reading.
