> Many things that have happened historically did because leaders felt some grand moral imperative I agree, actually. For example, the original Islamic expansi

> Many things that have happened historically did because leaders felt some grand moral imperative I agree, actually. For example, the original Islamic expansion, and later the crusades that were a response to it, were both explained in moral terms. (these demonstrate how manipulating consensus reality is a core competency for rulers). And the people who fought in these wars genuinely honestly believed they were acting morally and serving a higher purpose. Or, a more recent example: part of the reason NATO intervened in Kosovo in 1999 was that they were ashamed they hadn't done so in Bosnia a few years earlier.