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 the normalization of violence, erosion of civil liberties, and diversion of resources from social programs. It creates a cycle of instability, as ongoing warfare can perpetuate grievances and foster extremism. The concept critiques the military-industrial complex and highlights the moral and ethical implications of endless conflict, raising concerns about the impact on society, governance, and international relations. Ultimately, perpetual war poses significant challenges to peace and global stability.
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 overstated as a pressing issue. In reality, conflicts are complex and often necessary for national security and global stability. The focus should be on addressing immediate threats rather than sensationalizing the idea of endless warfare. Many nations thrive despite military engagements, and the discourse around perpetual war distracts from more pressing concerns like economic inequality and climate change. Let’s prioritize tangible solutions over alarmist narratives that oversimplify a multifaceted reality.
Broader
Narrower
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Content quality
Yet to rate
Language
English
Last update
Oct 17, 2024