What are the causes of war
posted by Billy- 5 months, 2 weeks ago-

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What are the causes of war?
What are the causes of war? It is a question that has often been asked in the past, and which will be asked in the future also. For war is a plague; Martin Luther said, "War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity; it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it."
The world war since 1914 plus innumerable lesser ones, and now the growing fear of a third world war which will make all former ones look like moderate skirmishes have destroyed the cushy optimism of world peace.
Modern war incorporates the harshness of human aspiration and degradation. Conditions that demand an utter disregard for the value of human life and blind indifference to suffering may be associated with excessive selfishness and courage. Greed, barbarism, totalitarian oppression, domination and submission, cowardice and bravery, self-interest, and self-denial are among the emotions, sentiments, and attitudes of war.
To different people war may have different meanings. To some it is a plague which ought to be eliminated; to some a mistake which should be avoided; to others, a crime which ought to be punished; to still others, it is an anachronism which no longer serves any purpose. On the other hand, there are some who take a more receptive attitude towards war and regard it as an adventure which may be interesting, an apparatus which my be useful, a procedure which may be legitimate and appropriate, or a condition of existence for which one must be prepared. There is a diversity of emphasis on different causes of war. Military nationalists have use old metaphysical arguments for war.
Conflict between states, it has been said in both ancient and contemporary writings, is a manifestation of a universal principle of existence. Supporters of war bring in historical, biological, and ethical reasons for war. They maintain that, from the beginning of recorded history, the fundamental interest of different political communities have been in opposition, and with the advance of civilisation, wars have continued to increase rather than diminish in scope and intensity. There is always contention for survival and dominance between the more and the less civilised nations, and the struggle will continue to take the form of armed strife, defensive, and aggressive.
The biological-historical case for war has drawn support from a few distinguished scientists Ernest Haeckel contended that egoism, which he characterised as a universal biological law, maintained itself in human society in a sort of racial cannibalism. The earth, he said, has insufficient resources for all the racial groups that appear upon its surface. The weaker groups perish not only through their incapacity to compete effectively in the common struggle for the inadequate supply of the means of life but also through their inability to defend themselves against conquest and ultimate annihilation by the stronger groups.
Some writers also exalt war for its direct cultural, moral, and ethnic benefits. There are people who say that innate nature of man as well as certain psychological traits has a bearing on war-like behaviour. Man is endowed with an innate urge or instinct to dominate. The others say that cultural and ideological differences cause it. Still others think that nationalism, colonialism and militarism have been important elements in many wars. There are also economic causes of war. The economic theory of war means that in a satanic thirst for economic gain munitions makers-"merchants of death," and capitalists, provoke wars in order to profit by the blood of human beings.
War arises because of the changing relations of numerous variables--technological, psychic, social, and intellectual. There is no single cause of war. Peace is equilibrium among many forces. Change in any particular force, trend, movement, or policy may at one time make for war, but under other conditions a similar change may make for peace. A state may at one time promote peace by armament, at another time by disarmament, at one time by insistence on its rights, at another time by spirit of conciliation.
Whatever might have been the causes of war there is no denying the fact that war is a curse to humanity. It has brought about untold misery, devastation, and degradation to millions of people. There is no evidence that wars are necessary and inevitable consequences of nature as such. The greatest problem to the world today are leaders who regard war as inevitable, and thus prepare their people for armed conflict to kill and get killed. War is at best barbarism…Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell!

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Billy I Ahmed, is a Columnist and Researcher, writing for leading English Dailies and Journal in Bangladesh as well as overseas online newsletter. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, in print or electronic media without written permission of the author. For reproducing or reprint, please contact the author by e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it You may also visit my web site: http://www.writesight.com/writers/Billy
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