Economic inequality and national security problems are connected in some important ways:
Social Unrest: When there is a big gap between the rich and the poor, it can lead to social unrest. A study by the World Bank found that countries with a Gini coefficient over 0.4 (which means there is a lot of inequality) are more likely to have civil conflicts. Between 1990 and 2015, about 40% of conflicts happened in countries with high inequality.
Terrorism: Big differences in wealth can increase the chances of terrorism. The Global Terrorism Index 2020 shows that areas with economic struggles, like parts of the Middle East and North Africa, have seen a 50% rise in terrorist incidents over the last ten years. Places where youth unemployment is over 30% are especially at risk because frustrated young people might turn to extremist ideas.
State Stability: Economic inequality can weaken a country's authority. Research from the Harvard International Review states that states in the bottom 25% for wealth distribution are five times more likely to change their government compared to more balanced states.
Resource Allocation: Inequality often leads to unfair distribution of resources, hurting infrastructure and making countries more vulnerable to threats. Countries with high inequality typically spend only 10% on security compared to more balanced nations.
In conclusion, tackling economic inequality is really important for improving national security and lowering the chances of internal and external dangers.
Economic inequality and national security problems are connected in some important ways:
Social Unrest: When there is a big gap between the rich and the poor, it can lead to social unrest. A study by the World Bank found that countries with a Gini coefficient over 0.4 (which means there is a lot of inequality) are more likely to have civil conflicts. Between 1990 and 2015, about 40% of conflicts happened in countries with high inequality.
Terrorism: Big differences in wealth can increase the chances of terrorism. The Global Terrorism Index 2020 shows that areas with economic struggles, like parts of the Middle East and North Africa, have seen a 50% rise in terrorist incidents over the last ten years. Places where youth unemployment is over 30% are especially at risk because frustrated young people might turn to extremist ideas.
State Stability: Economic inequality can weaken a country's authority. Research from the Harvard International Review states that states in the bottom 25% for wealth distribution are five times more likely to change their government compared to more balanced states.
Resource Allocation: Inequality often leads to unfair distribution of resources, hurting infrastructure and making countries more vulnerable to threats. Countries with high inequality typically spend only 10% on security compared to more balanced nations.
In conclusion, tackling economic inequality is really important for improving national security and lowering the chances of internal and external dangers.