PROLOGUE
In the complex world of international relations, conflicts are often recognized through wars, political disputes, and visible acts of aggression.
However, there is another, less obvious but equally pervasive form of violence that shapes global interactions—"structural violence”. Coined by Norwegian sociologist Johan Galtung, structural violence refers to social structures or institutions that harm individuals or groups by preventing them from meeting their basic needs or achieving their full potential.
Unlike direct violence, which involves physical harm, structural violence operates silently and insidiously through entrenched systems of inequality, injustice, and oppression.
This essay will explore the concept of structural violence in international relations, examining its role in global inequality, economic disparity, and the marginalization of vulnerable populations, while also offering insights into how this form of violence can be addressed in the pursuit of global peace and justice.
What is structural Violence
To understand “structural violence” within the context of international relations, it is essential to first grasp its key characteristic: “invisibility”. Unlike wars, which are overt and destructive, structural violence is embedded in the very fabric of societies and global systems, making it difficult to detect unless one critically examines the underlying causes of inequality.
Structural violence is not perpetrated by specific individuals or states, but by institutions, policies, and power dynamics that perpetuate inequality and harm certain groups. In international relations, structural violence manifests through unequal access to resources, power, and opportunities, often between the Global North and the Global South.
Consider the “global economic system”, which has been shaped by centuries of colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism. Many countries in the Global South continue to struggle with poverty, underdevelopment, and economic dependency on wealthier nations.
These conditions are not the result of direct physical violence but stem from a historical and ongoing system of exploitation and marginalization that benefits the Global North. International trade agreements, structural adjustment policies imposed by institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, and the monopolization of global markets by multinational corporations contribute to this form of violence, systematically disadvantaging poorer nations.
Global Inequality and Structural Violence
To be Honest, one of the crystal clear instances of structural violence in global Politics is the enduring “monetary unfairness” amongst states. Countries in the Global South often find themselves trapped in cycles of poverty and underdevelopment, while wealthier countries accumulate vast amounts of resources and capital.
This disparity is not accidental but is the result of global economic systems that prioritize the interests of powerful states and corporations at the expense of weaker ones.
For instance, trade agreements like the “North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)” or the more recent “United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)” often benefit wealthier countries with greater bargaining power, leaving smaller economies to compete on uneven terms.
Additionally, global institutions such as the “World Trade Organization (WTO)” and the “IMF” impose economic policies that disproportionately affect developing countries. Structural adjustment programs (SAPs), which require countries to adopt free-market policies in exchange for loans, often result in the reduction of social spending, leading to cuts in healthcare, education, and welfare. The outcome is that basic human needs are neglected, perpetuating poverty and inequality, and creating conditions ripe for structural violence.
Moreover, “debt dependency” is another significant driver of structural violence in international relations. Many developing nations are burdened with crushing debt, which forces them to divert large portions of their national budgets to repay loans rather than invest in social services or infrastructure.
The debt crisis in the Global South, exacerbated by policies of neoliberal globalization, traps nations in a cycle of dependency, effectively preventing them from achieving economic self-sufficiency. This systemic inequality—where powerful countries and financial institutions dictate the terms of economic survival—constitutes structural violence, as it denies millions of people the opportunity to live dignified, prosperous lives.
Environmental Injustice and Structural Violence
“Environmental degradation” is another critical area where structural violence plays out in international relations. Developing countries are often disproportionately affected by the environmental consequences of industrialization and climate change, despite contributing the least to these problems.
The practices of resource extraction, pollution, and deforestation, often carried out by multinational corporations based in wealthy nations, degrade the environment in vulnerable regions, undermining the livelihoods and health of local populations.
For example, many countries in Africa and Latin America are rich in natural resources, but the benefits of these resources rarely reach local populations. Instead, the profits flow to multinational corporations and political elites, while the communities that depend on the land are left impoverished.
The environmental destruction caused by mining, oil extraction, and deforestation leads to long-term consequences such as food insecurity, displacement, and the degradation of traditional ways of life.
This environmental injustice is a clear manifestation of structural violence, where the exploitation of natural resources by powerful actors harms vulnerable communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization.
Structural Violence and Human Rights
The concept of structural violence is also deeply intertwined with “human rights” in international relations. While international human rights laws aim to protect individuals from direct forms of violence, structural violence often falls outside the scope of legal frameworks.
Nevertheless, it is responsible for widespread human suffering. Economic inequality, lack of access to healthcare and education, and political marginalization all violate basic human rights, yet these violations are often overlooked because they are systemic rather than overt.
“Women, minorities, and marginalized communities” are frequently the primary victims of structural violence. In many parts of the world, gender inequality persists, not only through direct discrimination but also through societal norms and legal structures that limit women’s access to education, employment, and political participation. Similarly, ethnic and religious minorities often face institutionalized forms of discrimination that keep them marginalized within their societies.
In the international arena, refugees and migrants, fleeing war or poverty, encounter barriers that prevent them from accessing basic human rights such as safety, healthcare, and legal protection. The structural violence embedded in immigration policies, border controls, and international asylum systems exacerbates the suffering of these vulnerable populations.
Approaching Structural Violence in IR
Addressing structural violence in international relations requires a fundamental shift in how we understand and approach global problems. It is not enough to address the symptoms of inequality and injustice through humanitarian aid or conflict resolution alone; the root causes must be tackled by transforming the global structures that perpetuate violence.
This means challenging economic systems that prioritize profit over people, reforming international institutions to give developing nations a fair voice, and promoting global policies that prioritize human rights and environmental sustainability.
International cooperation is essential in mitigating structural violence. The “United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” provide a framework for addressing many of the underlying causes of structural violence, from poverty to climate change.
Achieving these goals will require collaboration between states, international organizations, NGOs, and civil society, as well as a commitment to redistributing resources more equitably and ensuring that all people have access to the basic necessities of life.
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Finalizing Words
In international relations, structural violence is an invisible yet powerful force that shapes global dynamics and perpetuates inequality, poverty, and suffering.
Whether through economic disparity, environmental degradation, or the denial of human rights, structural violence harms individuals and groups by preventing them from meeting their basic needs and achieving their full potential.
Recognizing and addressing this form of violence requires a comprehensive approach that challenges the systemic structures of power and inequality at the heart of the global system.
By doing so, the international community can work towards a more just and equitable world, where all individuals have the opportunity to live free from the constraints of structural violence.
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