How is war tolerated? Why is it acceptable for nations to kill, but not

C

Curiousity

New member
individuals outside of warfare? This is my current topic of interest. An individual in the street cannot take the life of someone else, but nations have the right to kill by waging war and sending their own young men and women to sacrifice themselves and/or murder on their behalf.

Nationalism is its own religion; people willing to sacrifice their own lives for a sociologically constructed entity - the nation-state

I would love to hear any thoughts.
 
I find it idiotic, war is often something that can be avoided, it is usually because of the leader's narrow-mindedness or individual beliefs that war is even started.

War is not a just thing, not unless it is a fight for the freedom of a people against an oppressor that refuses to relinquish power. In which case there is often no other way for change, other than in a violent rebellion.

Also, police have the right to kill, do they not? Their state empowers them above others, allowing them to kill under the right circumstances. Am I false in believing a person in self-defence can kill one who means them harm? This would lead one to think of the justification that when one is on the battlefield that that is exactly what they are doing, they are killing in self-defence.

If people weren't sent to war in the first place, neither side could use such a justification.

War from the whim of a man should not be allowed. I can understand centuries ago when leader's were often revered and often looked up to as Gods or beings acting as God instructed. The people simply did not know better, but in a world where everyone should be viewed as equal, if a man sends people to war, he himself should be in the front lines.
 
very interesting question.
I think its basically because the nation has more power than individuals. Power and Wealth allows people to do whatever they want. But still for modern nations to go to war they need an excuse and nations would always find a way to justified their country by finding excuses.

For example In During WWI time, the 5 Great nations of Europe were trying to compete for land (Empire), raw material, and more technology. Its basically the country's greed and jealous that cause wars. During WWI they send out a lot of nationalism, which make people want to join the army and want to fight for their country. This nationalism make people feel like they are contributing to their country,family and people, and it also made the arm race between the countries possible. Large army cause more tension between the countries and made war easier to start. Basically a Serbian killed the prince prince of Austira-Hungary, then a month later Austira declare war on Serbia, But Sebria had alliance with Russia;
Russia war with Austira
Austira has alliance with Germany, Germany war with Russia
Russia has alliance with France, France war with Germany
France had alliance with British, British war with Germany

You see the pattern? they all have an excuse for war.... Well it was a lot of Kasier Wilhelm's fault, because he went against all the peaceful reforms that Bismark did and make all the countries felt that Germany was a big threat.

Anyways Modern example would be United States....
I'm not anti-American but what Bush administration did was more then revenge for the 9/11, they basically invade the whole country and placed all our solider to take over their oil factories.

So its okay for Nations to go to war because they are more powerful the individuals, they have "good excuse", and simply going to war is fighting for their country, protecting their land, they are lot of things... but the main idea is because they are powerful but remember this, its usually winner rewrite the history.
 
I see it this way: if even one nation is willing to kill and be killed for a cause then all others have to be willing to do the same to prevent from being overtaken. This goes for individuals as well. If a gunman goes into a building with the intent to kill, someone else will have to be willing to be killed or to kill in order to stop him.

The reason it's "ok" for nations but not for individuals is because there is no world government that can enforce punishment on an entire nation like the nation can on individuals.
 
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