THE PHENOMENON OF CURRENT WARS:

WHEN FORCE AND SELFISHNESS PREVAIL OVER DIPLOMACY

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7443/problemata.v16i4.73399

Keywords:

War, Diplomacy, Public reason, Misery, International cooperation

Abstract

Why war? This question guides the analysis of the phenomenon of current wars, investigating the reasons behind the persistence of armed conflicts in a world equipped with negotiation and cooperation tools. The article “The Phenomenon of Current Wars: When Force and Self-interest Prevail Over Diplomacy” explores how military force overrides diplomacy, resulting in severe human rights violations and devastation, as seen in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Furthermore, it addresses misgovernance and corruption in Africa, which are not merely internal failures but reflect a global system that benefits from disorder for the exploitation of African natural resources. The inability of the international community to exert effective pressure perpetuates misery. The contrast between the urgent response to COVID-19 and the lack of action against misery and corruption, which continue to affect millions, highlights inequality in global priorities. Grounded in the philosophies of Hobbes, Rawls, and Kant, the article suggests that replacing force with diplomacy, based on ethics and social justice, could achieve lasting peace. Overcoming war will depend on ethical changes in leaders and society, promoting peaceful coexistence.

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Author Biography

Garcia Matondo Vita Bige, UFSCar

PhD candidate in Political Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy, Federal University of São Carlos - SP/ Brazil, since 2023. Holds a master's degree in Political Philosophy and specialization in Theories of Justice from the Institute of Letters, Arts, and Human Sciences at the University of Minho Braga - Portugal (2022). Also specialized in Diplomacy, Public Policies, and International Cooperation from UNINTER – Brazil. Also pursuing a master's degree in Civil Law at the Faculty of Law, Agostinho Neto University – Angola. Graduated with a degree in Philosophy from Agostinho University of Angola in 2013. Defended his thesis on "Freedom as the Basic Principle of Democracy in Aristotle." Assistant Professor, teaching since 2013 until 2022 courses such as History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Didactics of Philosophy in the Philosophy course; Curriculum Development in Portuguese, French, and English language courses (3 years); General Philosophy and Formal Logic in Pedagogy and Psychology Teaching courses; and finally, taught Ethics, Aesthetics, and Society in the 4th year of Pre-School Education in the Undergraduate courses at the Higher Institute of Educational Sciences ISCED-Uíge, Angola. Held various administrative positions including Head of the Human Resources Office (from 2019-2021), Director of the Office of the General Director of ISCED-Uíge, Angola (from 2011-2019), and Head of the Studies Planning and Statistics Section (from 2008-2011). Participated in undergraduate boards as an examiner from 2016-2022. Speaker on topics related to social justice and democracy. National Vice-President of the Catholic Friendship and Sympathy Movement in Angola from 2007-2012. President of the Catholic Youth of the Uíge Province, Angola, from 2006-2010. Participated in organizing and receiving Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Luanda - Angola in 2009. Participated in the World Youth Days in Australia, Sydney, in 2008; in Spain - Madrid in 2011; and in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro in 2013.

Endereço para acessar este CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/5953279548413186 

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Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

Bige, G. M. V. (2025). THE PHENOMENON OF CURRENT WARS:: WHEN FORCE AND SELFISHNESS PREVAIL OVER DIPLOMACY. Problemata: International Journal of Philosophy, 16(4), 89–110. https://doi.org/10.7443/problemata.v16i4.73399

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Papers

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Copyright (c) 2025 Bige GB Bige

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