Sociologist Dr. Berat Dağ, evaluating the recent war warnings made over global conflict zones and the mention of World War 3 risk, emphasized the negative effects of war rumors on social life and the importance of creating alternative forms of social life against such rumors.
Emphasizing that war rumors create fear and panic among individuals and societies, Res. Asst. Dr. Berat Dağ said, “War rumors can increase migration movements both internally and externally.”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sociology Department, Res. Asst. Dr. Berat Dağ evaluated the recent war warnings made over global conflict zones and the mention of World War 3 risk.
War means the disintegration of social life
“The impact of war rumors on society is generally negative. Because war also means the death of people, the collapse of the economy, the trivialization of politics, and the fragmentation of social life,” said Dr. Dağ, stating that when considered through historical examples, it is clear that war will cause extensive destruction for individuals, society, and the state, and therefore, war rumors will have no other function than to deepen the multi-faceted crises that arise.
Where do war rumors come from?
Highlighting that if war rumors originate from invalid and unreliable news, the existing crisis could grow even larger, Dağ said, “Because if these rumors are spread through communication technologies even when there is no war agenda, it will increase the likelihood of millions of people disconnecting from the political, economic, and social order in fear and panic.”
War rumors can increase migration movements
Also emphasizing that war rumors can increase migration movements both internally and externally, Dr. Berat Dağ continued:
“In other words, in anticipation of war, individuals and communities may try to reach other regions or countries where they believe they would be less affected by the war. It is particularly conceivable that the impact of these rumors will be more negative for young people who are at the beginning of their lives. When the future of young people becomes uncertain within the framework of war rumors, it is probable that they will take action for a healthier, freer, and more prosperous life. From this perspective, the spread of these and similar rumors constitutes a major obstacle to the continuity of individual, social, and political integrity.”
War rumors are functional for powers in the short term
“War rumors can be functional for powers in the short term. Because the jingoism, fear, and panic-driven emotions that arise from war rumors can momentarily cover up the crises caused by those in power,” said Dağ, sharing his views as follows:
“There are many examples in world history where war rumors were used for individuals, communities, and societies to detach from their basic needs and fall under the domination of powers. However, it is clear that these rumors, constructed due to the crisis of social structure and values, will deepen the existing crisis in the long run. For, in response to war rumors, individuals, communities, and societies may become massified by approaching themselves and their surroundings through impulses of distrust and self-interest. Therefore, it will become difficult to think and act in a balanced manner in the chaotic environment initiated by war rumors. This also points to a clear risk in sustaining a form of feeling, thought, and action that is fair, egalitarian, liberal, and solidarity-based, which underlies social structure and values.”
Is a form of social life that creates an alternative to such rumors possible?
Emphasizing the extreme importance of seeking ways for a form of social life that will create an alternative to such rumors, Berat Dağ concluded his words by saying, “In this context, ensuring that every child is socialized through certain values via institutions like family and education is highly meaningful. Specifically, it is possible to focus on the critical impact of critical thinking and critical media literacy education. With these educations, individuals may be able to calmly and objectively distinguish between reality and provocation. In addition, building social institutions upon fundamental values such as peace, multiculturalism, equality, and justice is also extremely vital. This will increase the likelihood of individuals and societies approaching every negative process they encounter in a balanced, critical, and holistic manner. When the effect of false, fictional, and manipulative rumors is reduced, organizing a genuine struggle process with oppressed peoples, whether economically, politically, or identity-wise, may come to the fore.”