Final Manifesto – No More War: A Manifesto for Peace and Solidarity
Final Manifestos:
The 1960s was more than hippies and rock n roll, it was an amalgam of anger, hostility
and ideology drawing from the vestiges of colonialism and the Cold War. Many groups issued
manifestos outlining their grievances with the world, and what they intended to do about it.
History was often an integral aspect of their manifesto. As you saw, the difference between good, effective manifestos, and those that were not, was based largely on the clearly laid-out justifications for their respective positions. In other words, those justifications were often rooted in fact (or at least in our case they NEED to be).
For your manifesto, pick a prominent issue that you care about and write a 5-8 page manifesto/ or @10-15 minute presentation. In other words, try to convince me to join your movement or your group. (you can of course use other mediums to express your thoughts, and they are in fact, strongly encouraged).
You must draw from real events, as well as events of the past, to delineate a clear argument for or against a group or issue, and offer solutions to those problems. You will be graded on the proper historical context (laying out the grievances or contextualizing the issue), style-creativity, clarity/defense of your argument, and thoughtful solutions.
You must use good sources to make an effective, well-educated argument; rants, simplistic arguments, and half-baked opinion pieces will be excoriated. I expect a minimum of 6 sources from you which to draw your reasoning as to why you want to create a revolution, a movement. You can only use academic sources (peer-reviewed scholarly sources), newspapers, or government docs. (I really don’t want you to Google stuff, or use Wikipedia. That is not acceptable) If you have questions about sources (given your topics, just reach out to me)
Professor
Course
Due Date
No More War: A Manifesto for Peace and Solidarity
Introduction
The threats to mankind and the earth are unparalleled and must be addressed head-on. Global solutions are necessary for global problems such as climate change, pandemics, and disinformation. However, rather than cooperate to overcome these difficulties, some nations are instead fighting one another. The continuing confrontation between Russia and Ukraine is a devastating illustration of this since it has resulted in unimaginable loss of life and property on both sides. For too long, violence and antagonism have afflicted our area, and this manifesto is an appeal for peace and collaboration. The future envisioned in this manifesto is one in which the world stops fighting needless conflicts and instead works to address the genuine concerns of its citizens. The people of Russia and Ukraine are not the only ones who deserve to live in peace and prosperity; this manifesto is for all of humanity. This manifesto is a proclamation of what we, as one global community, can accomplish if we all pull together.
Consequences of the War
Gross Human Rights Violations.
This war is an act of aggression on Russia’s part, a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as a sovereign country and United Nations member. This is not an internal conflict or civil war. It’s an invasion and occupation by a foreign power; Russia is responsible for sending thousands of soldiers, weapons, and mercenaries over the border. We cannot reduce this war to a bilateral or even a regional fight. The safety and stability of the whole planet are at stake, making this a global crisis and a multinational problem. The conflict in Ukraine has set off a chain reaction of death and destruction that threatens to destabilize the whole world. The fate of democracy, human rights, and international law, together with the lives of millions of people, hangs in the balance. This conflict is a geopolitical nightmare as well as a humanitarian disaster (Anghel and Džankić 489). It has opened a potentially lethal chasm between the East and the West and sparked a new Cold War. Our decades of hard work, compromise, and collaboration to establish a global order have been shattered.
Escalation of Regional and Global Tensions.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a major danger to international stability and a crime against the Ukrainian people. The ensuing food, fuel, and energy crises have hit the most vulnerable nations and people. Multilateral standards and accords like the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, and the Minsk Accords have been weakened. As a result, Russia has stationed nuclear tactical weapons near its borders and threatened to use them against NATO allies, raising the prospect of a nuclear war.
This sudden, unprovoked, and savage invasion has shattered the continent’s painstakingly constructed security architecture, including the international obligations that have been methodically negotiated over the last three decades (Mearsheimer 15). Cyber assaults, misinformation operations, weaponizing hunger, and the proliferation of terrorist groups are just some of the unintended consequences. As a result, thousands of lives have been lost, millions of people have been displaced, cities have been destroyed, and war has been brought to Europe. Our principles have been insulted, and human rights and the UN Charter have been violated.
Violation of Ukraine’s Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity.
Ukraine is a victim of this attack but also a protector of our shared values and interests. Ukraine produces enough food to feed 400 million people throughout the globe, including 50% of the world’s sunflower oil supply, 10% of the worldwide grain supply, and 13% of the global maize supply3. For the region’s energy security and stability, Ukraine is a crucial transit nation for oil and gas from Russia to Europe. Ukraine is an ally of both NATO and the European Union because it shares those organizations’ commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law (Harding et al.).
Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence must be respected in diplomatic efforts toward a permanent and peaceful crisis settlement (Wedel 375). The Minsk Accords must be implemented if the world is serious about putting an end to the bloodshed, regaining control of the border, holding free and fair local elections, offering amnesty to criminals, and decentralizing authority. Historical grievances, minority rights, energy reliance, and security guarantees are all at the heart of the issue and must be addressed globally. The international community must prevent this conflict from developing further. This war cannot become the norm or a frozen conflict. None of us can afford for this conflict to weaken or divide us. We cannot afford to let this conflict demolish our goals and hopes.
We cannot afford to remain apathetic or inert in the face of this fundamental threat. It is imperative that we show our sympathy with Ukraine and back the country’s right to self-determination, territorial integrity, and the pursuit of democracy. We must restrict Russia’s access to global markets and resources by means of strict sanctions. We need to strengthen our collective defenses by providing military aid and training to Ukraine. Humanitarian assistance and economic revival are also necessary as we assist the Ukrainian people in re-establishing their nation.
Urgent measures are required to end the conflict and forestall future escalation. This is as vital to our survival as it is to bringing justice to Ukraine. Since this might be our “1937 moment,” we need to remember the past lessons so we don’t repeat them. Our beliefs, safety, and future are all at risk if we allow Putin’s government to continue unchecked. The defense of Ukraine is an obligation on par with our own.
This war is not justified. It has nothing to do with real problems or genuine interests. It’s founded on deception, spin, and historical rewriting. Russia claims to be safeguarding the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine while it oppresses them and denies them their linguistic, cultural, and political rights. While Russia insists it is acting for national security, it is extending its sphere of influence and dominance over its neighbors. When it comes to the millions of victims of Soviet persecution and extermination, Russia claims to be restoring historical justice, but it is rewriting history and wiping their memories from the books (Dada and Uwa 9). The majority of Russians and Ukrainians oppose this conflict. A corrupt and autocratic leadership in Moscow backs it up, and this government has successfully influenced public opinion and stifled criticism. Kyiv’s democratic and reformist administration, which has called for peace and dialogue, strongly opposes it. Millions of people in both nations have protested the war and called for a halt to the carnage, showing they strongly oppose it. Nobody benefits from this conflict. Few oligarchs and warlords benefit from the anarchy and suffering. Thus it serves their interests. It goes against the grain of human nature, which longs for peace and unity.
The Solution to the War: Diplomacy and Sanctions
The international community must deal with its underlying causes to stop this war from happening again. The international community must encourage open communication and trustworthy collaboration amongst all parties. Ukraine’s democr...