Sources of conflict Essay Example

Sources of conflict Essay Example Sources of conflict Essay Sources of conflict Essay The conflict that is going to be discussed is the situation that happened in Eastern European country Ukraine and led to well-known events called Orange revolution. The conflict was widely covered by mass media all over the world, since it was the precedent that was supposed to have on-going outcomes not only in Ukraine itself but in the major countries that suffered from corruption and intragovernment speculations. It is important to notice that Ukraine is a big European country, which has around 50 million population. After the split of the Soviet Union Ukraine gained independence, as well as many problems from the previous regime. The economic ties between the countries of the USSR were broken. Thus, each country, including Ukraine, had to search for its own way of survival and development. After the split, during the turmoil years the strategic economic objects of the country, such as oil/gas, chemical and other energy companies were quickly â€Å"privatized† by those people that were closer to the official authorities. The economic situation in the country was devastating – huge inflation and low GDP didn’t favor any economic development. However, what was even more discouraging is that the power in Ukraine was concentrated in the hand of several people that had the same origin. It is worth mentioning that the first President, the Minister and the Prime-Minister belonge d to the same party. They were allies and wanted to save the alliance throughout the years. During the second election another President was elected. It is he, who later became the actual cause of the conflict. The second President managed to retain power during two terms. Yet, those 10 years he ruled were marked with severe corruption and further robbery of the country by powerful clans. All the biggest plants were sold to the â€Å"right people† for virtually nothing. However, the nation didn’t experience any positive changes and the level of live remained low. The turning point of the conflict occurred at the end of 2004 when the Presidential election took place. The candidate from the official power was delegated versus the candidate from the opposition. The latter was supported by the majority of population who still hoped for positive changes. Yet, the elections were falsified and the candidate from the power officially won. It provoked a wave of dissatisfaction and turned into a real national conflict where the one party was the East of the country, which supported Presidential delegate, and the other party was the west of the country, who supported the delegate from opposition. This national conflict turned into a Revolution, the winner of which became current President of Ukraine and the delegate from opposition Viktor Yuschenko. This kind of national conflict is really very multifaceted and the sources of it are really numerous and very significant. First of all, it is necessary to say that Ukrainian population was tired of poor economic situation in the country and aspired for positive changes that could improve the level of life. Moreover, Ukraine is traditionally rich on many natural resources. It has qualified human labor. Thus, this country possesses all the conditions to be prosperous. Yet, it lacked the smart management on the top of the country to be able to use existing country’s potential for the sake of the people. Thus, the first source of conflict was Government’s prolonged inability to enhance economic situation in the country. The second important source of conflict was severe corruption on the top of the official power, in the Parliament and in the Government. As it was already mentioned, the main strategic objects were sold for nothing. It turned out that the economic power of the country was concentrated in the hands of small clan close to the President of Ukraine. The top officials were financial magnates that experienced significant economic influence. Power was closely connected with business. This contradiction provoked serious dissatisfaction of common people who were tired of constant lie and demagogies of top officials. The third source of the conflict was the dependence of mass media on the huge business and power officials. It led to the fact that Ukrainian people couldn’t trust mass media any more, since every article and each TV programme was either paid for or ordered to be in the given format. The top national channels belonged to the top officials and thus became the sources of propaganda of certain party’s ideology. All this led to the fact that during last presidential elections only the delegate from the official power was widely broadcast on TV. The delegate from the opposition didn’t have any access to mass media. Obviously, this injustice caused significant dissatisfaction among Ukrainian people. Finally, the last source and the turning point of the conflict was the attempt to trick Ukrainian population and to falsify the election in favor of official power delegate. The falsification was very obvious. Moreover, some time before the election the opposition leader was attempted to poison. This attempt severely influenced his appearance turning Viktor Yuschenko from handsome man he was in he past into an old man with ugly face. Such obvious attempt to destroy the opposition and to make common people shut their mouth reflected with serious turmoil not only in the minds of the people but on the streets outside. Ultimately, the orange revolution took place and the opposition leader came to power. In such a way, it is important to say that national conflicts are always multifaceted. There is no usually one cause of the conflict, as they have different sources. National conflicts usually come to a head not suddenly, they rise during many years reaching the turning point, which is the ground of the conflict’s outburst.