The search term ‘World War Three’ and similar terms have skyrocketed over the last few weeks.
The phrase has been trending on Twitter and analytics show a huge surge on Google. Many people are panicking, worried that the latest risky move by President Trump will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
However, many experts have actually released statements saying that World War Three is almost certain to never happen. Nobody really wants to be the cause of Armageddon. It’s also worth noting that consumer goods like smartphones, laptops, cars, jewellery, food, cosmetics, and medicine are produced on a global level, with supply-chains crisscrossing the planet. Global trade becomes a true nightmare in a war. Businesses and livelihoods could be wiped out while certain products and items could simply not be available or accessible anymore.
It’s also so much easier for the public to learn about various attacks. Public shock and disgust at the reality of war broadcast over social media makes it more difficult for governments to carry out large scale military aggressions. Protests have taken place in recent weeks, with protestors arguing against the start of a new war in the Middle East, or in fact anywhere.
It is clear at least that the incentives for World War Three are far lower than they were in previous decades, and the disincentives are continuing to grow. While having Trump at the reigns may be causing a lot of anxiety for people, keeping in mind that war is highly unlikely should help to alleviate some concerns. The infographic below from Norwich University takes a look at some of the impacts of wars and gives a comparison of wars in different periods.
You can discover more through Norwich University’s Military History Program
