Sounds like the other half of the thesis presented in "Forged Through Fire" [1][2], in that case arguing that wars are directly responsible for democracy, by vi

Sounds like the other half of the thesis presented in "Forged Through Fire" [1][2], in that case arguing that wars are directly responsible for democracy, by virtue of reducing inequality. (Note, I've not read that text yet, just the WSJ book review, so please correct me if I'm off-target with that summary). The obvious follow-on question is whether inequality is actually bad in itself, and is what produces the war. Or is inequality usually associated with societies where the upper classes keep the lion's share of the growth, and that is what triggers these wars? [1]: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016APOCZM/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016APOCZM/ref=kinw_myk_... [2]: http://www.wsj.com/articles/democracy-is-dependent-on-war-1483741787 http://www.wsj.com/articles/democracy-is-dependent-on-war-14...