A powerful line from the character, Ra's al Ghul, in the Batman Begins; " With Gotham, we tried weapon of a new kind - Economics". The prowess of the tool called economics is perhaps unknown to most, even the best the field. Sometimes the Nobel memorial prize has been given to two directly conflicting theories, just to remind you how well we can measure the success of economics as a science. So today, I would love to describe how is this tool being employed in modern warfare.
Of the most significant consequence of globalisation, is the emergence of multi-national agglomerates and institutions. Since the barriers to trade and money flow (both technological and ideological) are being lifted off by the day, businesses have expanded beyond frontiers and developed a new sense of world identity. Although nationalism, is at its peak, there is a clear sense of transfer of control to businesses all over the world, as they have a say over one of the powerful resources of the country. So, its these businesses that stand to lose the most, sales, infrastructure, market and control, if a traditional war breaks out between countries. So what they stand to win from is the new era of economic imperialism, where the altruistic goal of developing poor countries is showcased to actually gain control over foreign frontiers and limit the infusion of the competitor in the market. This is what happens in present-day Africa, a battleground for US-china economics.
The other manifestation of economics is the rise in inequality and poverty. Although both income inequality and poverty are equally potent devils to modern administration, they trigger an explosive outburst when both of these combine. This mixture has begun to challenge the very ideals of western civilisation, the irony of equal opportunity and the drama of democracy. Although in principle none of the western ideology tackle poverty and inequality (since economics was in gestation then), there is a voice around the world that calls for unmasking the hypocrisy.
Maybe the third world war is already on. Yeah, its money all the way down.