Perpetual war
- Dependence on war
Nature
Perpetual war refers to a state of continuous military conflict, often justified by governments as necessary for national security or ideological reasons. This phenomenon can lead to prolonged violence, destabilization of regions, and significant humanitarian crises. It often results in the erosion of civil liberties, as governments may invoke emergency powers and curtail freedoms in the name of security. The concept critiques the military-industrial complex and highlights the cyclical nature of conflict, where war becomes a normalized aspect of society, perpetuating a cycle of violence and hindering peace efforts and diplomatic resolutions.
Incidence
The USA has bombed at least 23 countries since 1945 and is the the only country to have deployed nuclear weapons. In 2023, it has more than 700 military bases and over 200,000 US troops in foreign countries and spends more than any other countr(ies) on military spending (approaching $1 trillion annually).
Claim
"It does not matter whether the war is actually happening, and, since no decisive victory is possible, it does not matter whether the war is going well or badly. All that is needed is that a state of war should exist.” Emanuel Goldstein, The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism (in George Orwell’s 1984)
Counter-claim
Perpetual war is often exaggerated as a pressing issue, but in reality, it serves as a distraction from more immediate concerns like poverty, education, and healthcare. The focus on endless conflict diverts resources and attention from solving critical domestic problems. Instead of fixating on abstract notions of perpetual war, we should prioritize tangible solutions that improve lives and foster global cooperation. Let’s redirect our energy towards building a better future rather than obsessing over perpetual conflict.
Broader
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Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Content quality
Yet to rate
Language
English
Last update
Oct 17, 2024