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There were a lot of wars in the name of freedom, religion, human nature etc., you might want to throw away those too while you're at it, in fact, let's just ext

by voidr 12y ago

There were a lot of wars in the name of freedom, religion, human nature etc., you might want to throw away those too while you're at it, in fact, let's just exterminate humanity, cause all wars were caused by humans. History has also shown us that, even if you have people with the same beliefs, skin color, nationality... etc. they will still find a way to wage war with each other.

scarmig 12y ago
You seem to be implying that there's a constant level of violence that people commit, and eliminating one outlet for it will simply cause the violence to spill over into others. But that's simply not true. The USA, for instance, hasn't had significant levels of collective domestic violence since the ethnic cleansings of the 19th century. Western Europe hasn't either since WW2. Compare that to, say, a similar geographic area of similar size in Africa, and it's a world of difference. Good institutions, civil society, and well-developed property rights reduce violence to a negligible level.
- Houshalter 12y ago
  I don't know whether or not his model is true, but the US hasn't had a period without some kind of military conflict for more than like 20 years. Before World War I many people believed a major European war was impossible. There had been such a long period of peace, and there were arguments that prosperity and economic inter-dependency discouraged it.
- voidr 12y ago
  What I was implying is that just because there were wars waged in the name of nationalism, does not mean that getting rid of it would solve anything, there is no proof for that. I might wage a war against your country in the name of nationality or whatnot, but what I really want is your lands, I'm just making the nationality part up, so that my campaign doesn't look bad. Also if you get rid of everything that people waged wars for, not much would be left. People waged wars for freedom, you want to get rid of that? You might also say that beliefs are the problem, let's just get rid of those, however without believes I would probably find it acceptable to just go and attack your people for your lands and riches. As you can see there is more to it, and we are just scratching the surface. Last time I have checked the US, Americans were pretty patriotic, and incidentally fought a war for independence and another one for freedom...

by voidr 12y ago

scarmig 12y ago

You seem to be implying that there's a constant level of violence that people commit, and eliminating one outlet for it will simply cause the violence to spill over into others. But that's simply not true. The USA, for instance, hasn't had significant levels of collective domestic violence since the ethnic cleansings of the 19th century. Western Europe hasn't either since WW2. Compare that to, say, a similar geographic area of similar size in Africa, and it's a world of difference. Good institutions, civil society, and well-developed property rights reduce violence to a negligible level.

Houshalter 12y ago
I don't know whether or not his model is true, but the US hasn't had a period without some kind of military conflict for more than like 20 years. Before World War I many people believed a major European war was impossible. There had been such a long period of peace, and there were arguments that prosperity and economic inter-dependency discouraged it.
voidr 12y ago
What I was implying is that just because there were wars waged in the name of nationalism, does not mean that getting rid of it would solve anything, there is no proof for that. I might wage a war against your country in the name of nationality or whatnot, but what I really want is your lands, I'm just making the nationality part up, so that my campaign doesn't look bad. Also if you get rid of everything that people waged wars for, not much would be left. People waged wars for freedom, you want to get rid of that? You might also say that beliefs are the problem, let's just get rid of those, however without believes I would probably find it acceptable to just go and attack your people for your lands and riches. As you can see there is more to it, and we are just scratching the surface. Last time I have checked the US, Americans were pretty patriotic, and incidentally fought a war for independence and another one for freedom...