Jen

One of the main causes of conflict that we have discovered has been ethnic, racial, or religious differences. Rwanda, Cambodia, and Israel represent horrible occurrences when these differences can lead to the extreme. However, the idea of homogeneity brings as back to the Nazi mindset in the Holocaust, which is obviously not a popular idea. Although I believe homogeneity would reduce certain conflicts, I do not think it should be enforced, or even promoted.

To answer the first question, I believe that greater peace would be created to a certain extent if homogeneity was created. However, this peace would not last for long until other factors such as dictators and lack of resources came into play and created entirely new conflicts. Although people may be of the same ethnic stock, or even religion, they are still very different people with opposing values and ideas. Therefore, promoting homogeneity would still never make everyone identical.

If I had agreed to promote homogeneity, I still would face another problem. I do not believe that it can be advocated. The countries currently involved in globalization would refuse to adhere to the policy, and the idea of making everyone move around would not bode well. Furthermore, as I hinted at before, I do not believe this idea could occur without creating a much greater conflict, such as a Holocaust. By identifying people to that extreme, you are polarizing groups that, despite being separated from others, would still find reasons to feel superior to the other groups they are isolated from. Both of these ideas, isolation and polarization, are indicators of a genocide. Additionally, now that every group is together, it is much easier to attack certain ethnic groups. It is like Srebenica all over again, where the target is made clear.

Another problem in homogeneity is that it would be impossible to classify everyone. Would the white, American Christians be separated from the white, American Jews? Or would the Ethiopian Jews part from their African neighbors? There are too many overlaps, which would continue to support my point that everyone after they are isolated would still hold conflicting values.