Normal War: Necessary Citizen Response

War is a truly unpredictable event that bears serious implications for not only those involved in the fighting, but also those in the approximate vicinity of the area. Citizens who find themselves in the unfortunate predicament of being in or around a war zone, should take immediate responses to avoid the terrible consequences of war.

Precautionary Measures

Neutral Political Alliance

First and foremost among this particular tenant is promulgating a neutral status. Essentially this means that you should neither support one party nor the other. To support one group means opposing another group. This antagonistic paradox results jeopardizes one’s life (and that of his family and friends) regardless of which way support is thrown.  During World War II, the Swiss exemplified this strategy of neutrality to the fullest extent. Many analysts, both objective and subjective in nature, declared this strategy was doomed to failure as the war was so brutal that the Swiss people would inevitably become involved, even if it were not their own doing. However, by strictly adhering to the premise that supporting, or dealing in any way with either country, whether through military support or economic trade, the Swiss proved their political neutrality and their trustworthy steadfastness. In a microscopic sense, citizens should practice the same philosophy. Insofar as protection, and avoidance of military repercussions is concerned, a state of being where one is antagonizing neither group is ideal.

Ensure Protection

Second, should the war include artillery assaults or bomb droppings (air raids), citizens should take precautions to ensure protection. Among these responses would be taking shelter in an inner, secure area of one’s residing building, house or office. Ideally, this area would have four support foundations and be a rather confined space, providing greater structural support. Should a bomb then arrive when one is in such a location, the likelihood of structural collapse on them, shrapnel damage or incendiary burns is greatly diminished, if not mitigated completely.

Evacuation

Third, citizens should take care to leave the region as soon as any they note any signs of impending or occurring warfare. Evacuation, if possible, should be organized allowing citizens to leave for relatively distant, safe, uneventful locales. Citizens’ plans should accommodate for the proliferation of war through such mediums as missile trajectory systems and air raids, whether accidental or not.

While war is a truly dramatic and defining even that destroys lives seemingly without deliberation, citizens should quickly and properly strive to disengage themselves from the fighting and seek protection.

Sources Consulted

Sources

  • Coates, A J. The Ethics of War . Manchester University, 1997.
  • Fussell, Paul. Norton Book of Modern War. W.W Norton & Company, 1990.
  • Levin, N G. Woodrow Wilson and World Politics; Americas Response to War and Revolution . Oxford UP, 1970.