Throughout history, men have waged wars to resolve disputes and conflicts between groups or nations. They consider war as an institution recognized in custom or law in accordance with socially accepted forms. The quest for land, labour and resources has killed millions of men on the battlefield and impacted countless others who are victims of whimsical decisions of truly extraordinary gentlemen.
Sociologists have identified different kinds of war. Armed conflicts of powerful states with powerless people are termed pacifications or military expeditions; with small states, they are called interventions and or reprisals; and within groups, they are referred to as insurrection, insurgency or rebellions. War is now considered a rational instrument of national policy.
The 20th Century witnessed the aftermath of two World Wars under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust. A lot has been written on the causes, conduct and prevention of such human behaviour. These wars were ultimately no longer considered rational forms of state policy and theorists held that modern war should be undertaken only if vital state interests such as its survival were concerned.
Some theorists went further, denying war any rational character and considered it a calamity or social disaster, whether it is waged by one nation or afflicting entire humanity. During the later half of the 20th Century, this gave rise to peace research, which is now a major specialization in social sciences at universities. This combines analysis of the origins of war with and strong concentration aimed at prevention.
The world witnessed the horrors of mass destruction during World War II, making the understanding of war even more urgent.
On one hand, war became a social phenomenon and eradicating it become essential for the survival of mankind. But on the other hand, war became an instrument of policy wielded by the superpowers – USA and the Soviet Union. We still bear witness to how these countries invade and destroy entire states (Iraq, Syria, Libya and current Ukraine invasion).
Karl Marx attributed war not to the behaviour of states but the class structure of society. To him wars occurred not as an instrument of state policy but as a clash of social forces. To Marx, the state was merely a political superstructure and the primary factor was the capitalist mode of production. The bourgeoisie controls the state and engages in war for resources. The only way to end war was by abolishing class and state.
Many theories imply that wars result from the intimate allegiance of men to nations. This concept of self-determination is dangerous as it is the basis for the formation and breakup of nations. The political boundaries in Europe were based on these concepts and ongoing conflict in Middle East and Africa are the result of the link between nationalism and statehood. (Palestine, Iraq, Jordan, Nigeria)
The concept of nation-state is never fully achieved. There is no historical case where members of a nation gathered within a state’s boundaries, they always contain minorities and nations are divided into states. For example, the Kurds are found in four different states but not one nation. National groups not in control of the state may feel dissatisfied and claim self-determination which explains the insurgencies and separatist movements around the world.
We have now reached an understanding that war is no solution. So how can we prevent war? War is conducted to ensure self-preservation or self-interests or in some cases to sustain the military-industrial empire that has been established to proliferate arms and weapons. There is no denying that reforms in the international system are required for the prevention of war.
Instead of senseless wars, states can rely on pacification or peaceful settlement of disputes. The assumption is war is often the result of pride, lack of imagination, or cynical leadership. Diplomacy, international organizations and peace activists can play a key role in devising alternative, peaceful methods to resolve conflicts and disputes for collective security and global peace.
