Global threats are complex in nature, consisting of aspects that may pose an immediate danger, while others have a less direct impact. In the current sociopolitical global environment, the threats of cultural taboos and inappropriate uses of technology are considered the least threatening to international stability and well-being. Cultural taboos are perceived mainly as an intercultural aspect that deals with the internal affairs of a nation, which, although it has a profound impact on human rights, is unlikely to have a global effect.
Meanwhile, inappropriate uses of technology are an abstract and very politicized term, which requires a more precise definition in terms of becoming a threat. In combination, these serve as localized and inherently non-urgent threats to global security and balance of power, which is the reason why they are not immediately considered. This report will examine the issues in greater detail and provide reasoning for their exclusion from the global threat assessment.
Cultural taboos are particular actions or activities which are forbidden in some areas of the world due to religious and cultural beliefs and morals. While every society has unspoken rules, taboos are enforced strictly and are objectionable in the community. The first reason why it is not a threat is that it is a localized occurrence, limited to a particular country or region, and usually has little impact on other societies or the global community. Second, each culture has a right to self-determination, which limits the international pressure that can be implemented (Brodersen, 2019). Finally, cultural taboos rarely affect international political relations or global economics, making them a less immediate threat to the overall security of the world.
Inappropriate uses of technology cannot be discussed as a global threat since it is a highly controversial and politicized aspect that has no direct influence on stability. The first reason why it is not a global threat is the fact that it is a highly subjective factor on what is considered inappropriate use. The most obvious example would be nuclear technology used to create atomic weapons. However, some countries have been unjustly ostracized historically in pursuit of a peaceful atom, while others seek nuclear weapons to protect their sovereignty threatened by powerful global forces (Einhorn & Nephew, 2019).
Second, uses of technology are once again limited by both scientific capabilities and international guidelines, both of which are factors that prevent such occurrences. Historically, it is scarce that technology was misused to a level that did not reflect similar actions by other countries and a global consensus. Finally, this issue is also not an immediate threat since technologies take decades to evolve and implement (Mozur, Kessel, & Chan, 2019). Any globally significant misuse of technology cannot objectively be identified until later stages of the process.
In conclusion, cultural taboos are a localized event that does not threaten global stability and remain an internal affair of specific countries. Therefore, it is not a vital aspect of the discussion on the international agenda in regard to inappropriate use of technology, which, although it may be concerning, is a highly subjective and politicized concept that requires more significant research on how to define and identify such uses. It is also considered not an immediate threat to global security. Nevertheless, despite these threats not selected at this point in time, it is essential to continuously monitor the status quo and the extent of influence on global security that these forces might hold.
References
Brodersen, E. (2019). Taboo, personal and collective representations: Origin and positioning within cultural complexes. New York, NY: Routledge.
Einhorn, R. & Newphew, R. (2019). Constraining Iran’s future nuclear capabilities. Web.
Mozur, P., Kessel, J. M., & Chan, M. (2019). Made in China, exported to the world: The Surveillance State. The New York Times. Web.