Conflicts can be started over just about anything, from land, to oil, to water, but some items seem to have more potential than others as starting points for war.
These items tend to be rare, coveted by various sides and held under the control of governments or non-governmental entities that are willing to fight and die to maintain their control over them.
Here are ten (10) of the most common items that trigger wars and conflicts, in no particular order.
Land
War and conflict are usually triggered by one thing: land. When two people or nations have different opinions of what should be on their land, they often resort to violence to settle the dispute.
Wars have been fought over many things, but rarely was it fought over something other than the land on which it was being fought. Wars have been fought over religion, ideology, resources and a variety of other reasons.
Land is also a reason for wars and conflicts because it is an easy justification for conflict.
Religion
Religious beliefs can be a key factor in the start of war, as it is often a driving force for conflict. Religion often means different things to different people and it can therefore lead to disagreements about what should happen or what should be done. For example, Islamism is an ideology based on Islamic principles which advocates the return of democracy through Islamic values.
However, with such diverse opinions it is not uncommon for these ideologies to clash and this can lead to violence and even war between religions. For example, ISIS's aim is to establish an Islamic State (Khilafah) by uniting Muslims throughout the world so they have one voice.
The group has committed numerous atrocities against Christians in Syria who are being attacked because they are 'un-Islamic'.
Water
In the world of wars, water is one of the things that cause conflict. Water is used to make food or other drinks, to wash clothes, or to do just about anything else. When countries have a limited supply of water, they may go to war with other countries in order to get more water for themselves and their people.
If you are someone who likes to drink coffee or tea, then you should know that these drinks are made with water too! Even if you're not a coffee or tea drinker, there are many foods that also need water to be cooked. For example, bread dough needs some liquid when it's being mixed together.
If there isn't enough water available, it can lead to food shortages as well as starvation.
A report from Reuters says Climate change threatens up to ninety percent (90%) of global fresh water resources by 2050 which means even more fights over the resource could come in the near future.
Ideology
Conflicts often stem from religious beliefs, which are usually the cause of disputes. These range from how to dress, how to worship, who can lead a prayer group or become a leader in their community, what days should be considered holy, etc.
A religion may not fully specify an answer for these questions, so believers may disagree on these points and this disagreement can create issues. Some religions have more than one denomination (Christianity), while others may have sects with different ideologies (Islam).
A person's ideology also influences their behavior. So, if you are committed to the conservative ideology of your political party, for example, then you'll take action based on what is prescribed by those tenets.
Ideology also influences how people vote; voting patterns suggest that Catholics overwhelmingly vote Republican and Mormons overwhelmingly vote Democrat.
Wealth
People will kill for any item on this list, as they have the potential to change a person's life, or even cause death. Wealth can be acquired in many ways, but money is the easiest way to get it for most people.
Wealth may not be considered a basic human need, but it is one of the main factors driving conflict throughout history. The word wealth comes from the Old English wealh meaning well-being, prosperity, riches. Wealth can come in many forms including: diamonds, gold, oil and natural resources like land.
Often these things are contested over by warring factions. In fact, wealth has caused more than thirty (30) wars between 1816 and 2005 - with more than forty percent (40%) being related to diamonds alone.
Power
Achieving power is often the main motivation for warring parties, as it allows them to impose their will on others.
The power of weapons is a key factor in deciding which side wins a conflict. For example, in the 20th century, battles between countries with vastly unequal military resources led to quick victories by those with more advanced weapons; this was true in World War II as well as the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Afghanistan's resistance against Soviet occupation.
Food
In 2003, a drought in the Niger Delta led to violence against oil workers by locals who blamed them for destroying the environment.
To prevent clashes like this one, many companies have adopted local food policies that provide healthy options while supporting the economy in each region they work in. For example, total provides its employees with low-sugar cereals from Senegal and rice from China so that they can maintain a balanced diet for their health and for the sustainability of local producers.
Ethnic Hatred
Hatred for an ethnic or religious group is not new in the world, but it has never been as strong as it is today. Much of the tensions around the world are fueled by these beliefs.
Recently there have been attacks against Muslims living in Europe, Australia, and the United States due to the supposed connection between Islam and terrorism. It seems like every day brings a new event where two sides refuse to compromise because they believe their religion is superior.
In many parts of Africa, tribal wars erupt because one side believes it’s better than the other based on their ethnicity. Often times the worst offenders are politicians who use this fear to maintain power and control over others.
