What are Wars?

Published by Ravi on August 22, 2016August 22, 2016

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as: “a state or period of fighting between countries or groups”. The reasons for war can be bucketed roughly into two categories: annexing territory from neighbors mainly for financial gains and/or imposing ones ideals on others who may have different ideals. Thus in a concluded war there is always a change or we have never ending conflicts, with periods of secession of hostility.

The wars to annex territory have become rare in the modern era. This was more common in the earlier centuries of human existence when we had kingdoms and fiefdoms. Most of these conflicts in modern times are on differences where the border needs to be drawn.

The remaining wars fall under the ideals category. Nearly most of these wars can be identified with religion or race being the reason and the remaining few under governing philosophy. Many of the governing philosophy wars can be within a country.  They just get labeled as civil unrest/war.

Hence, if we can eliminate borders (no physical country), make all religions “equally peaceful” and eliminate monetary based governing, what are chances we have wars?