> the biggest cause of war in the last 200 years has been power struggles between politicians Putting it this way ignores the very real popular backing the pol

> the biggest cause of war in the last 200 years has been power struggles between politicians Putting it this way ignores the very real popular backing the politicians have usually had. The zeitgeist swings towards militarism and then the politicians follow their cue, not the other way around. It's deep in human nature. Wars usually happen in the context of declining living standards. When peoples perceive a shrinking pie they suddenly become very willing to explore military options.