Pacifism, Privilege, Other Thoughts

This year has been a harrowing one for global politics. Between the power struggles in the Ukraine, the conflict in Israel, the health crisis in Africa, the internal situations in Syria and Iraq, and countless other recent developments, this year-to-date has proven extremely unpredictable. As a pragmatic pacifist (a term I thought I had coined until a quick Google search left me disillusioned), as well as someone on a quest to find his own personal peace, these various international developments have inspired me to think about the question of global peace.

I should disclaim my post with the fact that this a topic which has no definitive answer, because of the subjectivity of international conflict. But admittedly, I do feel strongly about addressing the situations on the international stage as a counter to my American privilege. It is, of course, because of the relatively prosperous nature of American society that I am afforded the opportunity to try to "discover the meaning of life" in the first place. As far as Maslow's hierarchy goes, this desire to self-actualize comes last in the chain of human necessity.

As a pragmatic pacifist, I recognize that international relations necessitates conflict, however I find it categorically lamentable. And in my individual pursuit of happiness, I find it difficult to ponder my own 'bigger-picture' questions without considering them on a global scale. Do we not have obligations to end suffering elsewhere before worrying about our own prosperity? How do we find the balance between the two, if a bright line of that nature exists at all? What is the best way to help? How do we effect humanitarian change by way of something other than our government, which often acts dubiously? How do we use our modern tools to communicate with and help our fellow citizens of the world?

As I continue on my quest for happiness, I realize that internal realization is only part of the solution. In order to be fulfilled, we must find ways to subtly change our world - for the better - as well.