Why do we fight wars and how can we prevent them? A top historian's view

About this Video

• Video Title: Why do we fight wars and how can we prevent them? A top historian's view
• Channel: The Burning Archive
• Speakers: Jeff Rich
• Duration: 00:42:07

Introduction

This video explores the causes of war and the possibilities of preventing them, using Richard Overy's book "Why War?" as a primary source. Jeff Rich, the speaker, summarizes Overy's arguments, presenting eight key causes of war categorized as stemming from human nature (biology, psychology, anthropology, ecology) and human motivations (resources, belief, power, security).

Key Takeaways

• War is a persistent feature of human history: Contrary to myths of peaceful primitive societies, evidence suggests lethal intergroup violence existed long before large-scale societies or states.
• Eight causes of war: Overy identifies eight key causes, four related to human nature (biology, psychology, anthropology, ecology) and four to human motivations (resources, belief, power, security). These are not mutually exclusive.
• Biology and psychology: Humans have a biological predisposition to violence for survival and reproduction, reinforced by an evolved psychology that fosters "them vs. us" thinking and dehumanization of the enemy.
• Anthropology and ecology: Cultures have varied in their approaches to war, but none have been entirely without it. Ecological factors like resource scarcity have also contributed to conflict.
• Human agency and motivations: Despite the influence of nature, humans actively choose to wage war based on motivations like acquiring resources, pursuing beliefs, seeking power, and ensuring security.
• Limitations of realist theory: Overy critiques the realist school of international relations, arguing its simplified models fail to capture the complexities of war's causes.
• No simple solution: There's no single cause or easy solution to war; understanding its multifaceted nature is crucial for mitigating its impact.
• Moral obligations for peace: Despite the persistence of war, there are moral obligations to actively promote peace through various actions, such as breaking down "them vs. us" thinking and promoting diplomacy.