Sunday Sequence

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Audrey Carville and guests debate the week's religious and ethical news.

Audrey Carville and guests debate the week's religious and ethical news and explore the world of culture and ideas.

Sunday Sequence: Taking sides in war - why do we do it?

Factual

10/12/2023

Taking sides in war - why do we do it?

BBC Radio Ulster - Sunday Sequence, Taking sides in war - why do we do it?

Why do we feel the need to 'pick a side' in conflicts across the world? 

When war breaks out, the question is posed by individuals and by states: 'so, who do we want to win'? Is our concern always motivated in self-interest? 

'Who are the good guys?' It's a question often asked when the latest war breaks out, closely followed by 'so, who do we want to win'?
Whatever about the individual and who they back for victory, it's a different matter when it comes to States and who they support in a conflict which inevitably leads to loss of life and destruction.
When that support translates into providing weapons, training, funding- does it ultimately lead to outside powers imposing their solution on the warring parties? And what if that solution doesn't match the political, cultural or social fabric of the country? We've seen it happen around the world...
So is it meddling? Is it about protecting or advancing a State's personal interest? Can wars and conflicts ever be solved without outside help or as some call it, 'outside interference'?
Presenter Audrey Carville in conversation with Professor of sociology at Queen's University, Gladys Ganiel, school principal and commentator Chris Donnelly and Professor of Social Psychology at the University of St Andrews, Stephen Reicher 


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